Art masters Aintree rivals
Degas Art advertised his Triumph Hurdle credentials with a gutsy performance in the Weatherbys Bank Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.
Howard Johnson’s expensive recruit had opened his account at Wetherby three weeks ago beating a solid yardstick in Katchit, and as he was sent off the 4-9 favourite he was confidently expected to remain unbeaten over timber.
But he was made to battle all the way to the line after first seeing off the challenge of Faucon Bleu and grimly holding the late charge of Alan King’s Pouvoir (100-30).
The winning distance was half a length but despite giving weight away to all his rivals, totesport left him unchanged at 20-1 for the juvenile championship in March, while the runner-up remains 33-1.
“He’s still a bit tired after a long Flat campaign,” said owner Graham Wylie.
“He didn’t like being in front for so long either but he did well to win. I think he will be much better when he has a lead and Paddy (Brennan) thinks he needs to be freshened up so I think he will have a bit of a break now.
“To win with all that against him is pleasing.”
Meanwhile, I Hear Thunder put up an exemplary round of fencing to land the totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase under Daryl Jacob for Dorset trainer Bob Buckler.
An early faller when he tried his luck over the Grand National fences in the Topham Chase in April, he never put a foot wrong over the daunting obstacles this time and landed the odds at a tasty 12-1.
Aintree regular Hakim, the 7-1 joint-favourite, fell with a mile to run when taking the field along at a good gallop, which left Theatre Knight and Shannon’s Pride to cut out the running.
But Jacob never had his mount far from the pace and after taking up the running at the second-last he powered away from his rivals at the Elbow for a seven-length victory.
Shannon’s Pride (7-1 joint-favourite) stayed on gamely for second, with Theatre Knight (10-1) and Cassia Heights (16-1) filling the minor places.
“We had to make a decision whether to run him in this or the Becher,” said Jacob.
“Bob thought the Becher would suit but I just thought this trip (two miles and five furlongs) would be more up his street. We ended up flipping a coin for it and thankfully it came down on my side!
“We went a good pace which helped him settle and he jumped super. He would have gone close in the Becher but we definitely chose the right race.”
