Luccia ran a blinder to complete third within the Champion Hurdle for Nicky Henderson – however there stay issues in regards to the coach’s total type in any case 5 of his different runners had been pulled up.
Since Structure Hill was pulled out of the Champion Hurdle final month, the secure’s type 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 at the least 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 discipline.
Henderson stated 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 stated we’d give it a go, and she or he’s a mare, and she or he’s been nice during.
“She could 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 right this moment.”
Requested whether or not there’s a probability that Structure Hill could be able to tackle State Man earlier than the top of the season, Henderson replied: “I don’t know. At the very least 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 received a protracted, lengthy solution to go.”
In Structure Hill’s absence, Henderson had additionally supplemented Iberico Lord into the race, however he did not construct on his spectacular type 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 may 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 Unusual Joe to return this week and it stays a conundrum for punters on how you can strategy his runners.
Courtesy of Racing Put up
