Paul Nicholls has once again demonstrated his exceptional skills as a trainer, securing yet another victory at the Pendil Novices’ Chase held at Kempton. Rubaud, under the tactical guidance of jockey Harry Cobden, overcame a challenging mid-race moment and ultimately prevailed, marking the 14th win for Nicholls in this particular event.
The race began with Rubaud taking the lead, but it soon encountered difficulties on the second circuit of the course, with small errors allowing Imperial Saint to seize the advantage. Despite these setbacks, Rubaud responded superbly in the final stretch. A tense three-way contest emerged between Boombawn and Mark Of Gold during the last two fences. However, Rubaud dug deep and secured victory by a length, bolstering its record at Kempton to four wins out of eight starts.
Nicholls’ reaction after the race was candid, “I’m amazed he won. I thought down the back he was never going to win, but he came back on the bridle and that’s just class.” He expressed confidence in Rubaud’s potential to tackle more races in the future over two-and-a-half miles, mentioning a continued trajectory towards the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree.
Meanwhile, the day at Kempton saw captivating performances from other contenders as well. Mambonumberfive impressed with a win in the Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle over a two-mile distance. Brushing aside its previous disappointing British debut at Cheltenham, this towering four-year-old, under trainer Ben Pauling, followed with a victory over St Pancras by a narrow margin. This win initiated a treble for Pauling and his stable jockey Ben Jones, who have enjoyed an outstanding strike rate together, showcasing their chemistry and prowess in the racing arena.
Ben Jones continued to shine by steering Bad to its first win over fences at the 13th attempt, achieving a comfortable ten-length triumph in a 2m 4f Class 2 chase.
Adding further to the day’s excitement, Our Boy Stan rallied impressively in the bumper, reclaiming the lead in the final furlong to win over Moneygarrow by a length and a quarter, much to the delight of the Pauling-Jones pairing.
Tripoli Flyer also captured the crowd’s attention with a commanding performance, comfortably securing a third consecutive win in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle by a seven-and-a-half length margin over Miami Magic.
In another notable race, Saint Anapolino clinched victory in the 2m 5f handicap hurdle, showcasing adaptability in an increased distance. Under the skillful direction of Michael Nolan, for trainers Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White, Saint Anapolino successfully embarked on a new challenge, thus marking a headline-worthy performance.
The spotlight was also shared by the talented Deutsch, typically associated with Venetia Williams. Riding Katate Dori in the 3m Ladbrokes Trophy Chase, Deutsch executed a perfect strategy. Despite starting under bottom weight, he expertly guided the seven-year-old through the race. After being held back early and skillfully chasing the leaders, Deutsch directed Katate Dori to take the lead after the 14th fence. The horse comfortably maintained its advantage, pulling away to achieve a resounding 15-length victory from Nicky Henderson’s Hyland, which displayed a late but insufficient rally.
Overall, Kempton delivered a thrilling display of horsemanship and strategy with each jockey and horse fighting for honors on the turf. Nicholls, along with other victorious trainers and jockeys, truly made the day memorable for fans and participants alike, highlighting the enduring spirit and skill involved in the world of UK horse racing.
