Lucinda Russell continues Ultima domination with Myretown

Myretown produced a brilliant front-running performance at Cheltenham to earn trainer Lucinda Russell her third victory in the Ultima Handicap Chase from the last four runnings.

The eight-year-old, wearing the same silks and by the same sire in former Arc hero Dylan Thomas as Russell’s stable stalwart Ahoy Senor, looked comfortable in the hands of Patrick Wadge in taking the early lead.

It was an advantage Myretown did not relinquish and a fantastic jump at the final fence saw him burst clear of Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man before streaking clear to romp home by 11 lengths as the 13-2 favourite. Malina Girl was third for Gavin Cromwell.

Russell said: “I wasn’t keen on running him, but the owners said ‘come on, let’s have a go’ and he was well handicapped if he jumped round, I just didn’t know if he’d be man enough, but it looks like he is.

“I’ve just remembered I own half of him so it’s just got even better. He’s phenomenal and I always thought he might be another Ahoy Senor – we bought him because he looks like Ahoy Senor.

“He’s a bit different to Corach Rambler who jumps so exuberantly and Corach was a star, but just a different type of horse.

“This is a brilliant horse and I’m delighted for Patrick, it wasn’t a bad ride for his first Festival winner was it! It was really brave.”

Wadge added: “I couldn’t believe jumping three out I couldn’t hear anyone near me and I just hoped I hadn’t gone too quick. I gave him a squeeze on the bend and he took off – I think he could have gone round again. I can’t thank Lucinda, Scu (Petere Scudamore) and the owners for letting me to ride him, to get a sit on this lad was phenomenal. The faith they had in me was amazing.

“I don’t know how good he could be, but he’s the best I’ve ever sat on and he could be the best I ever will sit on.”

Puturhandstogether (17-2) timed his challenge to perfection to land the Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for Joseph O’Brien and owner JP McManus.

While Hot Fuss hit the front on the run for home, Puturhandstogether was stalking in behind under the guidance of Mark Walsh, who chose him over stablemate Beyond Your Dreams.

That decision proved fruitful as the leading pair jumped over the final flight together before Puturhandstogether moved to the inside rail to power home by six lengths.

Robbies Rock outran his 50-1 odds to finish second for Cromwell, with Liam Swagger third and Hot Fuss back in fourth.

O’Brien said: “I thought Mark gave him a great ride and at halfway it didn’t look as if he was going that easily, but he came onto the bridle and he really enjoyed the spring ground today.
We were hopeful he would be better when he got to the spring festivals.

“It’s always a special week – it’s special to have runners here and to have a winner for JP makes it even better.

“With our others we’ve run in this we’ve gone on to the Galway Hurdle, so that might be a route we take.”

Rebecca Curtis’ Haiti Couleurs then landed the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old was the 7-2 joint-favourite under Ben Jones and travelled well throughout the three-mile-six-furlong trip among a field of 18.

The run up the hill involved plenty of misfortune as several horses fell, though thankfully ultimately got to their feet, and it was Haiti Couleurs who was a worthy winner by a margin of four and a half lengths.

“I felt so nervous before this horse ran today, but watching him was almost like watching it all in slow motion,” said Curtis.

“He’s done that well, he deserved that. These guys are great, all his owners. Thanks to everyone at the yard, we’ve got such a great team at home – thank you to them all for working so hard.”

Asked what in particular made her so nervous, she said: “I suppose just because he was favourite and because I wanted him to win so much for these owners, because they’ve been amazing for the yard and my best supporters.

“We’ve only really got 20-odd horses in, we just need more horses now. I know I can do the job, it would just be nice to get a few more.

“He’s such a tough horse. He wouldn’t be overly speedy, he’ll just gallop all day long. His jumping is so quick and accurate.”