Henderson taken with Lester
Lester Leaps In earned rave reviews from trainer Nicky Henderson after breaking his duck in the Play Monopoly At skybetvegas.com Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at a balmy Plumpton.
Although a little slow at one or two early flights, the 11-8 favourite showed pleasing application on just his second jumping outing and Mick Fitzgerald was comfortable bowling along in front.
He was challenged strongly by Cantabilly in the final straight but pulled away again to score by half a length.
“He jumped like a bird and I have seen many worse four-year-old hurdlers,” said a delighted Henderson.
“It was like a bog on his first run at Sandown and he has come on to better ground here and stayed well.
“He’s just a nice person and we’ll keep him going – there are one or two nice little handicaps coming up.”
Meanwhile, Gabier was a facile winner of the Joe The Cap From Carshalton Memorial Novices' Hurdle for course specialists Gary and Jamie Moore, although the race was marred by an unpleasant incident before the last.
The 5-6 favourite admittedly had the best form on offer and had already hit the front but his two rivals alongside, Rosita Bay and Private Garcia, both went wrong and were quickly pulled up and dismounted.
This left him a mile clear and he strolled home, with Narlen 25 lengths adrift.
Gary Moore said: “It was handed to him on a plate, although I would like to think he would have won anyway. He might go back to the Flat now, we’ll see.”
