La Bague Au Roi strikes only blow for raiders

La Bague Au Roi struck a blow for the English raiding party by recording another Grade 1 victory in the Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

The Warren Greatrex-trained mare showed tremendous guts and determination to land the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas, and had to dig deep again here despite the absence of likely favourite Delta Work because of the fast ground.

Richard Johnson ’s mount made most of the running but the 10/11 market leader was strongly pressed on the run-in by Kaiser Black

The pair were separated by the width of the track with La Bague Au Roi keeping on gamely on the far rail to prevail by a length and a quarter. Hardline rallied in the straight to finish a further four and a quarter lengths back in third.

Greatrex said, “She’s so tough and an absolute pleasure to train. The plan has paid off. I think it’s really important that we come over and support a meeting like this. The Irish are so strong and to come over here in their own backyard and win is great.

“She has put a lot into that today and I’m not sure about Cheltenham — we’ll sleep on it.

“I know Richard’s first thoughts were not Cheltenham. He said she’s put everything into that today and she needs a bit longer. There is huge prize-money at Aintree as well and I’ve said all along the track might suit her better.

“The temptation will be there but we need to do what’s best for her and if that means she needs a bit longer then so be it.

“To win two Grade 1’s is fantastic and I think she’s as good a mare as we’ve seen for a long while. The Gold Cup is not beyond the realms of possibility some day.

“She’s very much a horse that needs to be in her own rhythm and not anyone else’s whether that’s leading or not. She was getting lonely out in front but she will keep pulling it out for you and is so tough and knows where the winning line is.”

Johnson said, “The mares have sort of stole the show here this weekend. She's just a pleasure to ride, she tries so hard and gives everything. If they don't want her as a broodmare I'd quite like her!

“We thought we'd pop out and get a good start. I wasn't really sure how quick the others wanted to go. If anything I'd have loved a bit of company from four out. She was on her own and she was idling a bit. I thought if I wait something will come to me but unfortunately they didn't so off the bend I thought 'well we know she stays very well, I need to go and try and win my race'.

“I remember riding Florida Pearl here and couldn't believe how far it was from the second last to the line. I thought if I could ideally wait until we turn in, even though the ground is good it's still a long way. I thought in the last 20 yards I'm actually starting to pull away from them again. I felt if I could get some company that would have helped me but that's just the way the race has panned out. They know she's won over three miles so obviously it makes sense that they might try and beat her for speed.

“Warren has done a great job with her. Obviously mares aren't always that easy to train and she's definitely improved over the last two years. She's really developed, she's always been a good mare, but I think she's really starting to come out of her shell now.

“I think we've sort of decided that a flat track is her ideal situation and she's probably going to miss Cheltenham but obviously that's up to the owners and Warren to decide. I think Aintree probably beckons for her next.

“That 7lb allowance is a big thing as well so I think make use of that. She has such a good attitude and it makes my job a lot easier. It's nice that she can win over two, two-and-a-half and three so it does give Warren more options. Cheltenham is an amazing place but I think the three-mile novice at Aintree looks the obvious target.

“We all do it to ride the nice horses. I love riding winners every day of the week but obviously you're always trying to hopefully find the next really really good win. I'm lucky that I've ridden lots of nice ones and some very good winners this season already.

“She's very very special and the nice thing is that the owners really enjoy her and they want to keep her racing. It's not just about this season hopefully there's more to come.”

(GC & AM)