The Path To Glory Leads To Newbury

Henderson Five-Year-Old To take Prize On Way To Better Things

The connections of the mare LUST FOR GLORY must have realised that they had something above average on their hands when she made her debut in a point-to-point at Lisronagh in Ireland just over a year ago. She was made favourite and promptly rattled home by five lengths from 10 opponents before moving to England and the care of Nicky Henderson. A third and a win in bumpers followed but her true jumping potential was shown here at Newbury over course and distance three weeks ago in a Class 2 novice event where she beat POSH TRISH over three lengths on good to soft. The latter opposes on an advantageous eight pounds difference this afternoon but had run, and won, at Chepstow in October and was probably fitter, so it is more than reasonable to expect Lust For Glory, who won comfortably, to confirm the form. In addition, Posh Trish's sire, Stowaway hasn't had a winner at Newbury in 17 attempts and trainer Paul Nicholls is a surprising 31% worse than expected in hurdle races at Newbury. PASSING CALL has three negatives and DIAMOND GAIT looks next best but BTOPlus+ rates Henderson's mare a full 239 points clear of her opponents and she might prove to be a glorious certainty.

G Lees

This article originated on sportinastorm.com