Nicholls’ Ranjaan’s and King’s Balder Succes’ contention awaited in the Ladbroke Hurdle
Ranjaan, who missed the Cheltenham Festival due to sore joints last season, is back with a bang and has kept the betting arena frenzied for a week now due to the Ladbroke Hurdle. In one of the most competitive handicap hurdles of the season, the Paul Nicholls’
trained will need to look out for the Alan King trained, Balder Succes.
For the four-year-old French bay gelding, Ranjaan, the race will be the 2012 season cracker as he has been off tracks since a while and has come out all strong due to the lay off.
Herbert, who represents the owners, said: "It's very exciting to be going with a good chance but it looks a very open race. It will be a mighty slog for all concerned on this ground and there are lots of variables, but Paul Nicholls has been very pleased
with him.
"He has schooled very well and worked very well and we always thought last year he had the make and shape to be better as he got older. The signs are that he's made significant improvement.
Trainer, Alan King, has already won the race with, Raya Star, before, and has substantial chances for nailing this one right away. The Betfair Racing Hurdle winner, Balder Succes, has been backed up sufficiently to make a positive impact through the trip.
He commented about the form compatibility of the former winner and this edition’s prospect.
"You need an improving young hurdler to win this competitive race and we got lucky with Raya Star last year.”
For trainer, Paul Nicholls, winning the race means a lot as he has lost the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Tingle Creek at the beginning of the season. Both the titles were taken away by the arch rival, Nicky Henderson, with Bobs Worth and Sprinter Sacre.
When Paul Nicholls won the StanJames.com International Hurdle with, Zarkandar, he lost the other entry, Cristal Bonus.
At the beginning of the year, Dubai Destination’s four-year-old bay gelding won the Read Donald McCain’s Column On Betfair Handicap Hurdle on 19th January, 2012 at Taunton race course over two miles and a furlong.
The race will feature contention between Paul Nicholls and Alan King for a change rather than Nicky Henderson.
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