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Luccia ran a blinder to complete third within the Champion Hurdle for Nicky Henderson – however there stay considerations concerning the coach’s total kind in spite of everything 5 of his different runners have been pulled up.
Since Structure Hill was pulled out of the Champion Hurdle final month, the secure’s kind has been underneath elevated scrutiny and, main into Cheltenham, eight runners in March had comprised a winner, a second, three fifths and three pulled-up runners.
There have been 5 extra runners pulled up at Cheltenham on Tuesday (Jeriko Du Reponet, Excello, Iberico Lord, Marie’s Rock and Theatre Glory), however Luccia did a minimum of present a brilliant spark as she posted a career-best to complete a three-and-a-half-length third behind State Man, having been despatched off a 33-1 shot and the lowest-rated horse within the subject.
Henderson mentioned afterwards: “If I’d had any say within the matter in any respect, she’d have run within the County – however I’m not the boss! Really, from two months in the past we mentioned we’d give it a go, and he or she’s a mare, and he or she’s been nice throughout.
“She is likely to be going to stud – I’ll attempt to persuade Paul [Sandy, owner] to have one other go, in a handicap, which is the place she usually lives, however she’s grown up at present.”
Requested whether or not there’s a likelihood that Structure Hill is likely to be able to tackle State Man earlier than the tip of the season, Henderson replied: “I don’t know. A minimum of he was ridden out with the others this morning, which was good to see. He got here out with the opposite horses for the primary time, however we’ve obtained a protracted, lengthy approach to go.”
In Structure Hill’s absence, Henderson had additionally supplemented Iberico Lord into the race, however he didn’t construct on his spectacular kind in handicaps and fell away tamely, as did the quietly fancied Jeriko Du Reponet – reportedly not suited by the bottom – within the Supreme.
Whereas the market didn’t anticipate a lot from Excello or Theatre Glory, Marie’s Rock was one other bitter disappointment, though the bottom might even have been a legit excuse for her given she had been avoided heavy floor on all however certainly one of her earlier 17 begins.
Henderson nonetheless has the likes of Jonbon, Chantry Home, Sir Gino, Shishkin and No Abnormal Joe to return this week and it stays a conundrum for punters on tips on how to strategy his runners.
Courtesy of Racing Submit
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