Cranbo repeated final yr’s victory by holding on to win his second Howden Lengthy Distance Hurdle at Ascot.
His profession has been at risk of being derailed since profitable the race 12 months in the past, with disappointments at Cheltenham and Aintree.
Coach Fergal O’Brien had hoped to get him again at Newbury final month however he wasn’t fairly proper, so meaning he should struggle match opponents in Group 1 when the season returns .
Crumbo was sacked at 9-1 and had rather a lot to do earlier than his stamina started to kick in.
The race was led by Beauport, who was generally known as a chaser and as he was main so comfortably, he appeared to be falling behind within the penultimate race.
He was nonetheless within the lead heading into the ultimate leap, however maybe cleared a barely bigger hurdle, giving Cranbo an opportunity to achieve the benefit.
As soon as Johnny Burke had him, a brand new hazard arose, with Henry de Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake posing a last problem, however he simply It failed by one head. Beauport was third and The Wallpark was fourth.
The favourite powerhouse chief was one of many first to be defeated and by no means seemed like profitable.
Jungle Boogie Begins Christmas Celebration
Jungle Boogie clearing fences at Ascot
Jungle Boogie Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe take first wins at Ascot Howden Commencement Chase.
The proficient however extraordinarily fragile 10-year-old ran for each yard in what become a fairly necessary recreation.
Solely 4 males took up the publish, of which solely Iroko was educated in England, the others got here all the way in which from Eire.
Sadly for these backing Iroko, they realized their destiny early on as whereas leaping the primary fence he collided with the errant Fil Dor in mid-air, leaving Jonjo O’Neill Jr No likelihood.
Jungle Boogie led the way in which however the tempo was uneventful and clearly too gradual for James Du Berlais, who was eager on Daryl Jacob’s fingers and made a mistake.
The chief, who had performed properly within the Gold Cup however failed to complete at Cheltenham, began to leap increasingly more to the left on the second lap when the final time got here.
Beforehand educated by Willie Mullins, he was unbeaten over bumpers, maiden hurdles and novices’ chases, however the Closuton coach solely managed three begins in nearly the identical yr earlier than he He took over two years off earlier than becoming a member of De Bromhead.
Nevertheless, he has been in positive type since then and is clearly a proficient performer, profitable the title over eight lengths with ease.
Thanks Ms. Household Affair for Scoring Group Nicholls
Olive Nicholls boarded the aircraft and thanked her mom Georgie
Younger jockey Olive Nicholls saved the file within the household with a maiden Ascot victory. thanks ma’am among the many greatest Thames Supplies Novice Hurdle.
Using for her mom Georgie and competing in opposition to rivals educated by her father Paul, Nicholls featured prominently within the chestnut race as he sought to interrupt his Duck.
The pair accomplished all of the runs, mixing into neat jumps with nice rhythm to take the lead within the last nook.
Nobody was capable of land a blow on the way in which to the end line and the 11/4 favourite hit a stride of seven-and-a-half lengths to provide the mother-daughter duo much more motive to have fun this Christmas.
Gary and Josh Moore Kurt Masks then prevail in Howden Handicap Chaseunderneath Caoilin Quinn, justified the favoritism with 13/8.
The six-year-old has run properly on the monitor twice this time period with out profitable however managed a size and three-quarters regardless of a gradual last leap.
