Luccia cemented her place because the red-hot favorite for the Mares’ Learners’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Competition with victory within the Indexed 2m½f beginner hurdle, however her emphatic good fortune left inspired teacher Nicky Henderson no longer ruling out a tilt on the Ideally suited Learners’ Hurdle.
A very easy winner of a identical contest at Newbury on her hurdles debut in overdue November, the five-year-old neglected an supposed engagement within the Tolworth Learners’ Hurdle remaining month however was once despatched off the 8-13 favorite to handle her unbeaten report.
Luccia cruised into competition in the house immediately and, regardless of an error on the remaining, powered to an 11-length win below Nico de Boinville. She was once usually trimmed to 7-4 (from 5-2) for the Mares’ Learners’ Hurdle.
Henderson stated: “You needed to be inspired along with her. She’s had a couple of hiccups since she gained at Newbury, however that was once precisely what we needed sooner than Cheltenham. She was once slightly untidy on the remaining, however with the exception of that her leaping was once nice.
“She had a terrible incident remaining 12 months the place we very just about misplaced her. It’s incredible for Paul [Sandy, owner]. She’s a homebred and it’s thrilling. She’s slightly particular.”
Such was once the way of Luccia’s good fortune, De Boinville hinted to Henderson that the Ideally suited may well be for her. She is a best-priced 12-1 for a race the instructor and jockey gained remaining 12 months with celebrity Charter Hill.
“I’d favour the mares’ race because it looks like she’d have an excellent probability in that,” stated Henderson. “I feel she would have an opportunity within the Ideally suited and Nico stated to run her there, so he will have to had been inspired.
“She wouldn’t be misplaced in that, however we’ll see. There are a couple of weeks till then. I’d favour the mares’ race.”
Luccia headlined a treble for Henderson, who additionally landed the Pertemps Hurdle qualifier with Strolling On Air, whilst The Wood worker defied a 701-day absence to make a successful get started for the instructor within the 2m2½f beginner hurdle.
Strolling On Air was once presented at 10-1 for the Pertemps Ultimate. Henderson stated: “We’ve now were given a robust crew for the Pertemps, with the King’s Scouse borrow A March, Captain Morgs and a couple of extra that would possibly pass. Strolling On Air will unquestionably pass. That was once a lot better from him and he’ll be a fantastic, right kind three-mile chaser subsequent season.”