Howden Ascot Hurdle

Grade 2, Ascot 14:45
(registered as The Ascot Hurdle),
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus,
2m 3f 58y, Class 1  
Saturday 23rd November 2024

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1 Lucky Place 4/1
2 Blueking d'Oroux 3/1
3 Colonel Mustard 10/1
5 ran NR: Salver Distances: 1l, ¾l, nk
Time: 4m 48.01s (slow by 14.01s)

Lucky Place gave Nicky Henderson a much-needed boost by securing a brave victory here. Henderson has faced more setbacks with his star hurdler Constitution Hill this week, continuing the challenges from last season.

One of last season’s disappointments was being forced to miss the Cheltenham Festival due to a viral infection affecting most of his horses. However, Lucky Place was a bright spot, finishing fourth in the Coral Cup as a novice. The plan had been to send Lucky Place novice chasing, but the dry spell and lack of suitable opportunities led Henderson to enter him in this Grade Two contest instead—a decision he’s undoubtedly pleased with.

With Salver a non-runner, only five horses started the race. It quickly became clear that Olly Murphy’s Thunder Rock wasn’t in top form. On the approach to the second last, Blueking D’Oroux, Golden Ace, Lucky Place, and the Irish raider Colonel Mustard were all in a line. Blueking D’Oroux attempted to make all the running for Paul Nicholls, but it was Henderson’s youngster who emerged victorious by a length.

Nico de Boinville, who rode Lucky Place, said, “He’s gutsy and doesn’t like getting beaten. He travelled sweetly and jumped well. We went steady, and he was quite happy with that.”

Henderson commented, “That was plan B. He was meant to be going novice chasing as he’s only five, so we brought him back here. The big question is where his best trip is. We’ll need to find out if he stays three miles. Two and a half miles over fences works well, but two and a half over hurdles doesn’t work as well. The Relkeel at Cheltenham could be a stepping stone for him. I think fences will have to wait until next season.”

Lucky Place’s victory has provided Henderson with some much-needed encouragement as he looks ahead to the rest of the season.

BetGoodwin

Ascot Hurdle (registered As The Ascot Hurdle) (Grade 2)
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 58y, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Lucky Place 5 11-0 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 4/1
2 1 Blueking d'Oroux 5 11-6 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 3/1
3 ¾ Colonel Mustard 9 11-0 Mrs Lorna Fowler Adam Wedge 10/1
4 nk Golden Ace 6 10-10 Jeremy Scott Lorcan Williams 2/1F
PU Thunder Rock 8 11-0 Olly Murphy Sean Bowen 7/2
NR 2 Salver 4 11-2 Gary & Josh Moore NON RUNNER