Lucky Place wins Ascot Hurdle after testing week for Nicky Henderson
Nicky Henderson
Lucky Place handed Nicky Henderson a much-needed boost when he claimed the Howden Ascot Hurdle on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been another testing week for Nicky Henderson, who recently revealed his prize possession, Constitution Hill, was lame and will miss next weekend’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
Trainer Henderson had originally intended for Lucky Place, 4-1, to begin novice chasing, but the dry weather and a lack of appropriate races led him to reconsider. The decision to enter the horse in this Grade Two contest instead proved a good one.
Just five horses went to post and Thunder Rock, who was priced as a contender at 7/2, was pulled up.
That left Blueking D’Oroux, Golden Ace, Lucky Place and Colonel Mustard to duke it out, and there was little to split the four as they approached the penultimate hurdle, but Henderson’s horse held on.
Jockey Nico de Boinville said: “He’s gutsy and he doesn’t like getting beaten. He travelled so sweetly and jumped well. We went steady and he was quite happy going that.”
Henderson said: “That was plan B, he was meant to be going novice chasing he’s only five so we brought him back into here.
“The big question is where is his trip? We are going to have 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 so well. The Relkeel (Cheltenham) could be the stepping stone for him. I think fences are going to have to wait until next season.”
