Nicky Henderson and James Bowen continued their robust begin to the Cheltenham Festival when Jingko Blue landed a gamble within the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle.
The seven-year-old was backed from 10-1 in a single day into 9-2 favorite at flagfall and Bowen poached an early lead to make all the working for a six-length victory.
It was a second pageant success for Bowen, who had damaged his duck on the assembly solely the earlier day on Holloway Queen within the National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase. For Henderson, who was profitable with Old Park Star and Holloway Queen on the opening day, it was a third win at this 12 months’s pageant and his 78th in all.
Jingko Blue, who has gone again to hurdling after a spell over fences final season, had flagged up his probability when runner-up to Stayers’ Hurdle contender Kabral Du Mathan within the Relkeel Hurdle on the observe on New Year’s Day.
Although making the working was not plan A for Bowen, he bought Jingko Blue into a good rhythm on the primary circuit, shadowed by eventual runner-up Franciscan Rock.
The chasing pack loomed up approaching the house flip however Bowen discovered a bit extra on Jingko Blue to go away from Franciscan Rock after the final. Storm Heart, the winner’s predominant market rival, was one other 4 and three-quarter lengths again in third. The outstanding Ballyadam made the body within the race for the third straight 12 months on the age of 11, ending fourth at 40-1.
Jingko Blue (James Bowen) comes dwelling six lengths away from Franciscan Rock within the BetMGM CupCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/images)
Bowen mentioned: “I don’t know why I found it so hard to get a winner here previously. It wasn’t the plan to make the running. He just ended up there and he’s a good horse.
“Sean [Bowen’s brother] was the primary to congratulate me although he has but to win a race on the pageant. He’s all the time been my largest supporter.”
Jingko Blue is owned by Tony Barney, who was back in the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure a year after Jango Baie’s Arkle success. He has a live chance to follow that up in the Gold Cup on Friday.
Just as then, it was a poignant moment for Barney and his wife Donna. He said: “These colors are sentimental to us after dropping our son James and we predict Jingko Blue is pretty much as good as Jango Baie after that.
“It was great to have James Bowen riding as he has the same first name and initials as our son, who we lost in 2008. We’re so proud of James for what he’s done today.”
Henderson mentioned: “I thought James was interesting – it wasn’t exactly the plan to make the running, but he did it exceptionally well, didn’t he? It was great.
“He’s not the best horse to carry on the best aspect of – when he’s good, he’s very gifted, however he’s not the best.
“At least the owner has got a day to calm down before Jango Baie in the Gold Cup. He might need it!”
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