Lulamba lived as much as the hype when comfortably accounting for fellow French import Mondo Man within the BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle at Ascot.
Nicky Henderson’s cost scored by 5 lengths in a 16-runner contest at Auteuil on his racecourse debut after being the topic of glowing stories since arriving at Seven Barrows.
Mondo Man was purchased for €520,000 after exhibiting loads of skill on the Flat, notably ending fifth within the French Derby and fourth behind Calandagan within the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Gary and Josh Moore’s runner raced too freely within the rear early on, whereas Nico de Boinville took up a useful place on Lulamba monitoring Viyanni.
Caoilin Quinn allowed Mondo Man to make a ahead transfer three out, however Lulamba was at all times travelling properly and the 4/5 favorite went to the entrance easily within the dwelling straight earlier than scoring by three and a half lengths.
The winner was lower to six/4 for Triumph Hurdle glory at Cheltenham by Betfair, Coral and Paddy Energy.
Take No Possibilities saved on strongly to show over sizzling favorite Kargese within the Grade Two BetMGM Mares’ Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained Kargese was having her first outing since capping off an outstanding juvenile marketing campaign by securing a second Grade One success on the Punchestown Competition final Might.
Nevertheless, the two/5 market chief travelled sweetly underneath Paul Townend and regarded all set to prevail when cruising as much as problem Ooh Betty on the second final.
Take No Possibilities (left) holds off sizzling favorite Kargese within the BetMGM Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot
Take No Possibilities (13/2) had not learn the script, although, and she or he produced a decided surge to leap to the entrance on the remaining flight earlier than battling on gamely to beat Kargese by three-quarters of a size.
The Dan Skelton-trained winner was posting the most effective efficiency of her profession in victory and successful jockey Kielan Woods praised her consistency, together with her 15-race profession having yielded 4 prior wins, in addition to a string of locations.
