Tent is primed to pitch claim for Champion
My Tent Or Yours brings a sprinkling of stardust to today’s action.
Let’s hope the fruitloop can add another dose of spice to a fascinating Champion Hurdle picture for the months ahead.
Tenty, as old Hendo calls him, lines up in the feature at Kempton. With two Grade 1s under his belt he’s already a star but we may not have seen the absolute best of him.
He might be getting older, but having missed two years injured, there are still plenty of miles left on the clock.
Tenty came back from the knackers yard to run a blinder last term behind Annie Power in the Champion and at Aintree.
Common logic tells you he shouldn’t be in the mix for the Blue Riband in March but look what Hendo did with Sprinter Sacre.
And those who saw Binocular return from the depths to win the Champion six years ago knows they have some mag ic wat e r around JP’s place at Martinstown.
Te n t y wa s never able to settle as a novice and earned the tag for being a loony. But if maturity and fitness work in his favour, he could still be a player.
If he is, it gives another shot in the arm to the two-mile division after Gigginstown told Gordon Elliott to get Apple’s Jade primed for the big one after leaving Willie Mullins.
You know as well as I do that Willie might well have fancied the easier Mares race. But after winning at Aintree by 41 lengths, it would have been a travesty had she not been allowed a chance to go for the Champion.
With Annie Power and Faugheen on the scene for the Master of Closutton, it’s shaping into a cracker already and don’t forget about Yanworth. Alan King’s charge has the speed to switch back with a year’s more strength also in his bones.
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Jean-Claude Rouget’s 11-8 favourite was always nicely positioned by Christophe Soumillon and once again produced a blistering turn of foot to beat Arc heroine Found (5-2) by two lengths.
Jack Hobbs (7-1) gave the form a rock-solid look in third ahead of My Dream Boat (20-1).
Rouget said: “He’s a champion. He did the same performance he did at Leopardstown and the time he had between the two races was perfect.
“He beat Found further because I think she had the Arc in her legs. She’s a champion too.
“I preferred to keep him to 1m2f. Next year we’ll see if we go to the Arc.”
Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien enjoyed his 22nd Group 1 success of the season courtesy of Minding (7-4 Fav) in the QEII.
The high-class filly cruised to the front a furlong out and just had to be kept up to her work by Ryan Moore to foil the late challenge of Ribchester (7-2) by half-a-length.
O’Brien said: “She’s an incredible filly. The last day she worked Seamie Hefferan got off her and said he couldn’t believe the work. It’s a big team effort and I can’t say how delighted I am for everyone.
“She’s a great filly – a mile, 1m2f, 1m4f, then to bring her back for an all-age mile race, they have to be very special to do those things. I can’t say how happy we are. I imagine that’s it for her this season.”
The Tin Man (13-2) showed his mettle when landing the Qipco Champions’ Sprint.
Held up early on by Tom Queally, James Fanshawe’s gelding hit the front inside the final furlong and stayed on strongly to gain his first Group 1 success by a length.
This year’s Ayr Gold Cup form received a major boost when runner-up Growl (50-1) and winner Brando (14-1) battled it out for the minor honours.
Journey (4-1) gave John Gosden his first top-level win of the term when hosing up in the Fillies & Mares.
Frankie Det tori kicked for home on the a furlong out and she drew clear effortlessly with the Italian being able to rejoice well before the line.
Speedy Boarding (14-1) was four lengths back in second while hot 5- 4 favourite Seventh Heaven was never an issue in fifth.
Jim Crowley was deservedly crowned Champion Jockey after a gruelling campaign.