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Elgin shows determination to land the Greatwood Hurdle
23 November 2017
Alan King took the bold decision to run the Club's homebred Elgin just a fortnight after winning the William Hill Handicap Hurdle in the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham's Open Meeting last weekend. Alan was worried about the rain-softened ground at Cheltenham, so jockey Wayne Hutchinson gave the outside to no one as he searched for the best ground on the course. Elgin jumped well for him and travelled like a train, as he and runner-up Misterton drew clear in the home straight.
What was most impressive about Elgin was the way he gritted his teeth and refused to allow Misterton past, despite conceding 8lbs to the grey. He eventually won by a head, after battling up every inch of the notoriously demanding steep climb to the finish post as the sport's most iconic jumping venue. Perennial Champion Hurdle contestant, The New One, finished back in fourth place, as conceding top weight proved too much for the prolific gelding, who has won 19 of his 33 races and almost £1m in prize money.
The race was marred by the death of one of the most talented dual-purpose horses in training, London Prize, who sadly fell fatally at the penultimate flight. London Prize had won the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton just a week before, having also landed the Imperial Cup and the Northumberland Vase on the Flat during the summer. Our condolences go to his owner, Mrs Forsyth, and his trainer, Ian Williams.
Elgin could not return to Ascot for a £150,000 handicap hurdle, formerly known as the Ladbroke Hurdle, on 23 December. This tough handicap could suit Elgin perfectly, as he has winning form over the course and distance of two miles and he is improving rapidly. His Listed and Grade 3 wins this season have enhanced the stature of his dam, China Tea, who comes from the same family as Shiva and Light Shift, and is therefore related to the brilliant older horse of 2017, Ulysses. China Tea is currently in foal to Archipenko, which could end up being another very exciting dual-purpose prospect for Club Members to enjoy potentially.
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