99 Up, from Lelantos
Wed 24 Nov 2021
WINNER 99 OF 2021: LELANTOS, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville: 'The Follow AtTheRaces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle' over 3m 1/2f at Southwell.
He was just touched off by a neck last time out, at Fontwell on November 5th and the market had that noted, making him the favourite as he lined up yesterday. Setting off with ears pricked, he led the field, jumping nicely. Challenged for the lead, he was then headed, but tracked the leader, taking the lead again after 3 out. Then taken on by two horses, Nico asked him for an extra effort coming to the final two hurdles. Having jumped smoothly to this point, he was not fluent at the second last, but regained his composure, jumping the last with momentum and kept on well in the run-in to win by 3/4 of a length.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Southwell/23-November-2021/1425
Here he is returning, the winner!
Timeform say: "Was narrowly denied by one completing the middle leg of a hat-trick last time and duly went one better without needing to improve on that effort; led early, upsides again 5 out, went on home turn, tackled 2 out, asserted close home."
Nico said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He had every right to do that today, as the Fontwell winner has won again. He's tough and stayed on well, so he can build on that now. He's a real stayer, with the potential to go over fences.”
Syndicate manager Tom, who was at the track, says: "Well done to his owners on his first win. I felt Nico gave him a good ride - he judged the right time to kick on and Lelantos was a very willing partner, who jumped and travelled his way round there in fantastic fashion. He was brave when he needed to be in the final furlong. It’s fair to say he does appreciate a stamina laden test and it is hugely exciting the shapes he made over those brush hurdles, he will be an effective chaser when that time arrives, and when you go chasing you really do open up those longer trips that he should relish. With the last few shares remaining in him, he's a great horse for the National Hunt enthusiast to jump on board! Get in touch with me here if you have any share enquiries."
As we mention in the title, the win from Lelantos, means we are one away from achieving 100 winners this year - could it be PRETTY SWEET on Wednesday at Kempton?