I'm over the moon to have seen Lucky place declared for the Ascot hurdle on Saturday.
He's had a chase entry and Nicky Henderson gave mixed messages in his stable tours about this fella so it's pleasing to see he's staying hurdling.
I like to try and identify novices from the previous season that stay hurdling and have the potential to make up in to grade 1 class over staying distances, it's a little less obvious than a champion hurdler coming through from the novices, and it can become a good puzzle to crack. Last season I identified crambo as the 'one' I believed had the potential to become a grade 1 winner over 3 miles, he duly obliged, although was disappointing in the stayers hurdle and went In to that category of 'value loser'.
This season I think the 'one' could be lucky place.
His novice form is pretty damn good, he meets golden ace on Saturday, 10lbs better off for a 3/4length defeat the only time they have met, the price difference between the 2 for Saturday is something I've taken full advantage of.
His coral cup run for a novice was fantastic, looked to be closest at the finish, travelled beautifully throughout his races last season and looks an ideal type to relish 3 miles. Related to a midlands national winner on the dam side, i think stamina could be a real asset to this horse.
I got him added a few weeks ago, 33/1 was a bit of a shock, I was hoping for much bigger.
Hopefully a wtaf price can be around for saturday.
Buzz won the Ascot hurdle a few years ago, Henderson made comments afterwards about looking to go down the stayers route, he went pretty short afterwards, im hoping for the same saturday with lucky place.