JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial |
|
| Grade 2, Cheltenham 12:40 £30,000 added, 3yo only, 2m 87y, Class 1  |
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| Saturday 17th November 2018 | |
1 Quel Destin 10/3
2
Cracker Factory 3/1
3 Never Adapt 3/1
6 ran NR: Il Re Di Nessuno Distances: 1¼l, 2½l, nk
Time: 3m 55.90s (slow by 4.90s)
A good start to the day for Paul Nicholls as Quel Destin wins
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The Muhtathir three-year-old, who was ridden by Harry Cobden, was bought from France in late summer and was having his third start for Nicholls.
The trainer said: "He's improving rapidly - he had done so at home after his first run and then again since Kempton. I'd have been disappointed if we hadn't beaten Jane Williams' horse [Montestrel, the 9/4 favourite, who finished last of the six runners] but I don't think he ran his race today.
"Quel Destin is tough and he gallops, and I can't wait to run him on some slower ground where stamina will come into it a little bit more. He's a real nice horse who's improving.
"In time he will need a longer trip, especially when he jumps fences next year, but for now we will run him in these type of races. We'll probably head off to Doncaster with him next month - there's quite a nice race for him there - and then see where we go afterwards. He's tough and he stays, and it was a really good ride from Harry."
King said: "Cracker Factory ran well. He had to carry a penalty today, but we're happy with the performance and he seems to be improving with every run.
"There's plenty more to come from him and he does seem to enjoy this ground."
The Nicky Henderson-trained Never Adapt pulled hard over the first few hurdles of the extended two-mile contest but was headed, but after the last to finish a further two and a half-lengths back in third.
Britain's champion Jump trainer added: "She was obviously too keen, but that was her first start in Britain and she would have learnt a lot from that. She has ability."
JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial
(Registered As The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle) (Grade 2)
£30,000 added, 3yo only, 2m 87y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Quel Destin (FR) 10/3 | H Cobden 11-3 |
P F Nicholls | 3 | |
| 2nd | 1¼ | Cracker Factory 3/1 | D A Jacob 11-3 |
A King | 3 |
| 3rd | 2½ | Never Adapt (FR) 3/1 | B J Geraghty 10-10 |
N J Henderson | 3 |
| 4th | nk | Katpoli (FR) 12/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies 10-12 |
Dr R D P Newland | 3 |
| 5th | 2½ | Needs To Be Seen (FR) 50/1 | P J Brennan 10-12 |
J Ryan | 3 |
| 6th | 6 | Montestrel (FR) 9/4f | Lizzie Kelly 10-12 |
Mrs J Williams | 3 |
| NR | Il Re Di Nessuno (FR) | J E Moore 10-12 |
G L Moore | 3 |
