A review of the action from Friday's meeting at Cheltenham where Third Time Lucki made an impressive start to life over fences.
Lucki earns Arkle quotes
Third Time Lucki is as short as 14/1 for the Sporting Life Arkle after a sparkling win on his chasing debut at Cheltenham.
Sent off an 11/8 favourite for the squareintheair.com Novices' Chase, the six-year-old pulled his way to the front under Harry Skelton down the back straight and never saw a rival from that point.
Fluent at his fences, the winner was eased down up the hill to beat Buddy Rich by eight-and-a-half lengths.
Betfair and Paddy Power are 14/1 for the March showpiece with Sky Bet offering 16/1. All three were 20/1 immediately after the race.
Sky Bet Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: "As far as starts over fences go that was very satisfactory. Obviously far bigger tests await but connections will be delighted with how he did it and he's a very exciting chasing prospect."
“To be honest I’ve always considered him one of our best horses but it was very frustrating last year,” said Dan Skelton. “Mike (Newbould, owner) wanted to get some experience into him early so he went and won at Uttoxeter, we came here in bad ground and that half unravelled our season. He went to Musselburgh and ran terrible and then ended up in front too soon in the County.
“It didn’t work out last season but what it did do was give him experience, he went up hill and down dale, left-handed, right-handed – he’s done it all. I tinkered with his wind in the summer and now Harry can really ride him, whereas before he had to be dropped out last. Everything has come together.”
He went on: “You hear us all say it, but he really was an embryonic chaser so we’re chuffed to bits. He might come back here for the Paddy Power meeting – but if the ground was bad he wouldn’t run – then he’ll go for the Henry VIII (Sandown, December 4) and ultimately back here in March.
“Some people say I don’t test my novice chasers enough, that I dodged it with My Drogo last year, but I’m trying to get the best out of them when I can. He’s now been round Cheltenham so we can plan for March. He’s a pure two-miler and the faster they go, the better. He’s always had a great deal of ability but he also had a lot of self belief, that nothing could get the better of him, which sometimes isn’t a good thing.
“He’s rideable now, though, Harry can go in short or lengthen. He wouldn’t be clashing with Drogo, there’s a race for him on the Friday in November over two and a half miles. Obviously it’s October, you can look foolish standing here saying he’s this and that, sometimes it’s not fair. We’ll play it low key, go to the Henry VIII and then we might be able to get excited.”
Camprond wins season opener
The first race of the new season at Cheltenham ended in very familiar fashion as Camprond carried the colours of JP McManus to victory in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. McManus’ famous yellow and green hooped silks are the most successful ever at The Festival, with 67 victories.
The Philip Hobbs-trained five year old, returned the 1-3 favourite, had little difficulty in seeing off Irish raider Mars Harper to score by four and a half lengths under Aidan Coleman.
Hobbs said: “We got the job done, just! I’m not sure what we’re doing with him next, I gather in Ireland that they’re novices until the end of November, so heading over there is an option but otherwise it will likely be handicaps for him. He’s not jumped a fence at home just yet but that’s an option as well, although it’s not the most obvious thing at the moment.”
Bardenstown another winning favourite
The third favourite of the day to oblige was 85-40 hope Bardenstown Lad in the 888Sport What’s Your Thinking Novices’ Hurdle. The six year old became the first Irish-trained winner of Cheltenham’s new season when securing victory by a length under Sean Bowen for the John McConnell team.
Bowen believes the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival could be an ultimate aim this season and said: “It was a good performance. He raced very lazily early on and I gave him a reminder at the top of the hill. To be fair he came back on (to the bridle) and he’s gone and done it well in the end.
“He wouldn’t let you know how much more he’s got to be honest. I was all out at Cartmel at 1-10 in August and thought I was going to get beaten because he’s just that type of horse.
“He might need headgear later on in his life but something like the Albert Bartlett is a race where you need a really strong stayer and he is that and I think John McConnell is hoping that’s what he can be.”
Fast Results
Scores
Racecards 
