By Peter Moore at Kempton Park 25th November 2024
After encouraging news in the morning about Constitution Hill, Nicky Henderson’s day continued to get better when Iberico Lord made a winning debut over fences by taking the Beginners Chase over 2m 2f at Kempton Park on Monday.
Just four runners went to post for the Class 3 race, with Gidleigh Park pulled up early on.
Despite not always jumping fluently, the six-year-old led two out and pulled away to win cosily by two lengths with the only other finisher in the race Leave Of Absence a further one and a half lengths back.
After the race trainer Harry Fry posted on X that Gidleigh Park was examined by the vets and was diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation.
Since moving to Toby Lawes, Craven Boy has flourished after landing hurdles wins at Warwick and Hereford along with a nose second at Fontwell 17 days ago.
Today, the eight- year-old went one better with victory in the 3m handicap hurdle by three and three quarter lengths under Kevin Brogan.
Kateira, made up for her previous run at Wetherby when in a good position before a bad blunder scuppered the mares chances of winning, by putting in a fine performance to take the Racing TV Mares Hurdle over 2m 5f by two and three quarter lengths for the all conquering Skelton yard.
Miami Magic defied top weight to make it consecutive wins with a very comfortable 12 length success over George’s Lad in the 2m novice hurdle for trainer Stuart Edmunds.
Although off track for 261 days, Es Perfecto held off the challenge of Doctor Ken by a length and three quarters to stay on well to take the 2m 4f handicap chase for Alan King.
Paul Nicholls brought up his eighth winner in the past fortnight with his only runner of the day when Kabral Du Mathan continued his unbeaten start to his racing career with an easy success in the finale under Freddie Gingell.