Johnson mount wins Coral Cup
Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson, responsible for Queen Mother Champion Chase runner-up Flagship Uberalles, went one better through Monkerhostin in the Coral Cup today.
Plenty of horses were in with a chance at the last but Monkerhostin (13-2) looked to have plenty to give, and so it proved as he held 200-1 outsider Court Shareef by a length.
The 5-1 favourite Rhinestone Cowboy was a further length and a quarter away in third, with Mughas (11-2) fourth.
After Almaravide had set the early pace it was Carl Llewellyn who set sail for home on Redemption heading towards the top of the hill.
He was quickly joined by another Nigel Twiston-Davies runner, Ollie Magern, but both were swamped before the final flight.
Monkerhostin had made smooth progress and he had the measure of his 26 rivals to give Johnson his first winner of the meeting.
"It's just great to have a winner here,'' Johnson said.
"He travelled well. He's a horse who has won over two miles and three miles - he's very versatile.''
Hobbs said: "He's run a cracking race. He's declared for tomorrow (in the County Hurdle), but he is unlikely to run now.
“His owner suggested we run him in the three-mile Grade One hurdle at Aintree. I think that would be the more obvious choice, but I suppose we will have to discuss it.
“He’s very effective over two miles and gets three miles, so I suppose two and a half miles plus is his best trip.
“We’ve got In Contrast in the County Hurdle anyway, and Richard was very keen to ride him, so I hope he is right.
“I don’t agree with the 48-hour declarations. It has messed up the race and, though it has worked in our favour, I don’t agree with it.”
