13:45 Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle result
1st La Luna Artista 15/2
2nd One Horse Town 11/4
Report
La Luna Artista put a luckless run behind her at Cheltenham to run out an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.
The Jane Williams-trained filly finished around two lengths behind One Horse Town when the pair were fifth and second respectively in the Finesse Hurdle in November when La Luna Artista was short of room at a crucial stage. One Horse Town had won since but La Luna Artista was making her first appearance since the autumn and was a little free in the early stages.
The pace was too slow for Allure who pulled himself to the front under James Reveley with Fantasy World, making a quick return after disappointing at Musselburgh last weekend, racing in second, ahead of One Horse Town.
One Horse Town made a mistake down the back, slightly hampering Precious Man - the even money favourite was another to race keenly - who was ridden along for a few strides and he duly responded, moving into contention under a motionless Harry Skelton in the straight.
Precious Man moved upsides La Luna Artista and Ciaran Gethings at the second last with the remainder struggling but he took a heavy fall leaving La Luna Artista alone in front. The filly, racing with her ears pricked, had plenty in the locker and ran on to win by 13 lengths from One Horse Town.
Precious Man was attended to by the on course veterinary team who were sadly unable to save the four-year-old who had suffered a fatal injury.
We might go again
Williams said: “We always looked like the winner turning in. As soon as Cieran put her in the race she always looked like the winner because she was not going to stop as she stays well.
“We know she stays as we took her to Cheltenham to try it, and she did stay, so we were over the moon.
“She hit traffic problems that day, and she didn’t like the soft ground as there was a soft patch at Cheltenham that she didn’t like. She got her feet stuck in that and when she got free she then got into traffic problems. She probably should have finished third that day.
“I always thought she was better than her fifth, but I wasn’t the only one as all the pundits thought that too.
"I just thought she would like Kempton Park as it is a quick track and I’m really pleased with her. I thought she would be second or third, but I didn’t think she was out of her depths.
“I’m not thinking anything at the moment at all. We always reckon three runs, or four at a push, for a three/four year old is enough, and she has now had four runs.
“I wasted a run in a bumper, which I wouldn’t have done, so to have a fifth run I’m not sure, but having said that she is growing and getting bigger and stronger so we might go again.
“We are having an amazing season and we are lucky that we have some nice youngsters around as we rely heavily on them. ”
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Latest JCB Triumph Hurdle and Fred Winter betting
There was little movement in the Triumph Hurdle market with several of the field holding entries for the Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (registered as the Fred Winter) and needing a run to qualify, including La Luna Artista who is 20/1 (NRNB) with Paddy Power and Sky Bet.
One Horse Town only holds an entry for the Triumph Hurdle and is 33/1 with the same firms.
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