Warren Greatrex thinking big for La Bague Au Roi

A review of the action from Huntingdon as the well-regarded La Bague Au Roi maintained her unbeaten record.

Warren Greatrex's high opinion of La Bague Au Roi was further bolstered after she maintained her unbeaten status in convincing fashion in the Betfred Mobile Henrietta Knight Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat at Huntingdon.

Winning with a fair bit in hand on both starts to date at Newton Abbot and Aintree the imposing four-year-old made it three from three with a similarly impressive performance in the Listed contest.

Although faced with a stack of challengers turning for home in the extended one-mile-seven-furlong contest the 5/6 favourite kicked again to draw right away from her rivals for an eased down five-length victory.

Greatrex said: "She is special and as good as you get. She had to do it the hard way.but we probably had the best rider (Gavin Sheehan) from the front on her.

"I've always said I hold her in high regard but I don't think she was at her best either today although she hit the line running.

"She will go to Aintree for the bumper in April and will have a nice break now. Getting the spring weather on her back will help improve her and hopefully she can make it four out of four there. She has got a bright future."

Charlie Longsdon saw his decision to switch Kalane to fences instantly rewarded with an impressive victory in the Betfred TV EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase.

Although wanting to take in the mares' hurdle programme with the six-year-old those plans were changed by the Chipping Norton handler following her fall at Wincanton last time out.

The change in tactics proved to be a wise move with the even money favourite putting in a slick round of jumping to open her account at the first time of asking over fences with an impressive 31-length victory.

Longsdon said: "Noel (Fehily) does not come back with many superlatives but he was full of praise for her. He has always loved this mare.

"I thought she would be going for all those mares' hurdle races and we went to Wincanton as favourite but she got cocky with her jumping.

"Her owner Paul Murphy is a big advocate of mares' chases and we thought we better go down to plan two.

"Marcus Foley schooled her this morning and she jumped fantastic. She has got the scope to be a very good chaser. She is well able to take on the boys."

Ben Pauling was left slightly surprised after Cyrius Moriviere (20/1) cast aside some above average rivals in the Betfred "Fred's Festive Giveaway" Novices' Hurdle.

Despite being put in his place by O O Seven at the track last time out the five-year-old took a step forward from that display to defeat useful bumper performer Waterlord by a length and a half.

Pauling said: "He ran very nicely here last time when he was beaten by O O Seven who franked the form at Sandown yesterday.

"There were plenty in there with chances and we came here today and had to be realistic but we didn't expect to be winning today.

"He has obviously improved and is a nice horse. It is exciting to have horses like that and we will have to evaluate where we go now."

Liam McKenna held his nerve after guiding Template to victory in the Betfred Lotto "£100K Cash Giveaway" Handicap Hurdle.

Despite the Harry Fry-trained 5/1 shot destroying the top bar of the final flight the 7lb claimer gathered his mount in to hold off the challenge of favourite Great Fighter by a head.

Paul Fayerty, spokesman for the Coral Champions Club, who own the winner, said: "Liam said that if there was not going to be any pace he would sit handy and it all went to plan.

"Liam's is a good lad and his 7lb claim was a big help. I am not sure where we will go next."

Trainer Alex Hales saw a photo finish go his way for the third time in the space of a week after Periquest (11/4) landed the Betfred "Scoop6Soccer" Handicap Hurdle, while the Mark Wall-trained Cardinal Rose (5/1) got the better of an equally tight finish in the Betfred Racing "Like Us On Facebook" Novice Handicap Chase

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