Kempton Saturday

THE Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle was marred by the fatal fall of favourite Precious Man, which cast a shadow over the success of 15/2 chance La Luna Artista (Jane Williams/Ciaran Gethings), who was left clear at the penultimate flight to win by 13 lengths over One Horse Town (Harry Derham/Paul O’Brien), with Fantasy World (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) third.

La Luna Artista was travelling best when left alone and has clearly improved since finishing behind One Horse Town in the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham in January, although the latter was below his best in defeat here.

Given the runner-up was rated 134 coming into the contest, the handicapper has not been harsh in giving La Luna Artista an opening mark of 125, and she is likely to run next in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

“La Luna Artista was a replacement for a horse the syndicate lost at Newbury last season,” explained Williams. “I was really upset by it and we managed to keep the syndicate together with her. She was inexpensive, but is by Spanish Moon and is a lovely big filly who has done absolutely nothing wrong.

“I thought the ground might be a bit soft for her today, but clearly not. She jumps and you’d think she was a two-and-a-half-mile chaser.”

Jax books Arkle ticket

Jax Junior (Lucy Wadham/Tom Cannon) looks likely to head to the Arkle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival after a facile success in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

A winner at Sandown at the end of January, Jax Junior impressed with his jumping and his high cruising speed and soon put the race to bed when Cannon gave him the office after jumping the third last, with the 8/11 favourite clearing away to beat Jasmine Bliss (Harry Derham/Paul O’Brien) by six and a half lengths.

Go West led early, but was always inclined to stand off his fences and that ended in a near-disaster when he misjudged his leap five from home and all but came down, leaving Jasmine Bliss in front, but with the favourite merely biding his time.

Reve sparks Supreme dream

The Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle went the way of the six-year-old Klub De Reve (Harry Derham/Paul O’Brien), helping trainer and jockey get over the disappointment of two earlier second-place finishes on the card. An easy winner over course and distance at the Christmas meeting here, the 7/2 chance underlined his liking for a test of speed by outgunning Kocktail Bleu (Chris/Freddie Gordon) to win by a comfortable three lengths.

Favourite Mustang Du Breuil (Nicky Henderson/James Bowen) ran on late to snatch third without threatening. Vicory here means that Derham has two potential candidates for the Supreme, with Klub De Reve and Mossy Fen Road both among the entries for the curtain-raiser at Cheltenham.

“I’ll definitely consider Cheltenham - there’s no harm having two bullets to fire!” he said. “But I suspect Aintree might be the right place for him. We’ve always held him in high regard.”

Lookaway comes of age

Trainer Neil King has always adored Lookaway and the nine-year-old landed a late gamble down to 3/1 favouritism when winning the valuable Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase. Prominent throughout, Lookaway jumped well on the whole for Jack Quinlan and kept up the gallop to resist the late challenge of The Doyen Chief (Alan King/Tom Cannon) by two lengths. Kdeux Saint Fray (Anthony Honeyball/Sam Twiston-Davies) was always handy, weakening only late to finish third, half a length further behind.

An emotional King shared his affection for the winner and the difficulties he’s had since his days as a leading bumper performer, saying: “I live for Lookaway. I can’t say that loudly enough. I ride him every day and he’s the first one I talk to in the mornings. At one time, it looked like he would never be a racehorse again.

“Two procedures to try and correct an epiglottic entrapment failed and then we had a third try and fortunately Ben [Brain, vet] has worked the magic on him and got him back.

“He’s so gutsy, so game. Jack knows him inside out and has given him a smashing ride. He’s got entries at Cheltenham, but it’s quite close and today was probably his Cheltenham. I wouldn’t be against going up in trip again and the race that would be very interesting at the end of the season would be the bet365 Gold Cup.”

Lingfield Saturday

THE Group 3 Winter Derby saw the 6/1 chance Sky Safari (James Fanshawe/Dan Muscutt) finish strongly to beat odds-on favourite Chancellor (John and Thady Gosden) by a neck, thereby going one better than when touched off in the Winter Oaks on her previous start.

“It’s been an incredible story with Sky Safari and Dan gave her a lovely ride,” said Tom Fanshawe, assistant to his father. “People thought we were crazy pitching her in listed company last year, but we always had faith in her and it’s paid off.”

Harry regains crown

Diligent Harry (Clive Cox/Rossa Ryan) won the Listed Hever Sprint Stakes in 2024 and was again successful when beating Clearpoint (Simon Hodgson/Alistair Rawlinson) in the latest renewal, returning at an SP of 15/8 joint-favourite with the disappointing Valiant Force. The eight-year-old was held up for a late run before sweeping through to score by a length and a half at the line.