Nusret boosts Cheltenham claims in dramatic Adonis Hurdle

Joseph O’Brien was full of praise for jockey Daryl Jacob after Nusret put in what he described as a ‘very pleasing’ to move a step closer to an outing at the Cheltenham Festival with victory in the open Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton Park today, Coral Trophy Day.

Without a victory since making a winning debut over hurdles at Punchestown in November the son of Golden Horn bounced back to winning ways when scooping the biggest victory of his career in the Grade Two contest.

Anchored close to the rear of the field through the early stages of the two mile contest the 7-2 chance steadily worked his way into contention under Jacob before joining eventual runner-up Perseus Way at the last.

Meeting the last on a better stride than Perseus Way the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned colt found plenty up the run in to prevail by a length and a quarter to become the first Irish-trained winner of the race since Clarinbridge claimed the 1984 renewal for Jim Bolger.

O’Brien, speaking away from the track, said: “I thought it was a great ride from Daryl and it was a very pleasing performance.

“He appeared to enjoy going on a bit nicer ground. It was a nice race to go for. Anthony Bromley (Racing Manager to the owners) thought it would be a good spot for him and I have to give him credit for suggesting the idea.

“We were hopeful he would run like that as that is why we went there. We had a form line through Scriptwriter (who was beaten by Comfort Zone at Cheltenham) and we thought he was the one to beat, but we thought our horse would at least be competitive with him.”

Following the race Nusret was left unchanged at 7-1 for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival by William Hill, while Betfair trimmed him from 8-1 into 5-1 for the same race.

O’Brien added: “Daryl thinks he is better going right-handed but there aren’t many options right-handed before Punchestown. He will have the option of going to Cheltenham and there will be options at Aintree as well.

“We will see how he comes out of it and sit down with Daryl, Anthony, Simon and Isaac and work out where to go. I suppose the Boodles is an option but we will see how he comes out of it and what the guys want to do.”

As for winning rider Jacob he was equally delighted with the performance from Nusret.

Jacob said: “He is a lovely horse. I’ve always thought a lot of him. I thought his Punchestown was very good as he did a few things wrong that day but still came out on top.

“The ground the last two times was a bit soft for him but coming back to a sounder surface helped.

“I think right-handed is the preferred angle but he did finish third behind Lossiemouth around Leopardstown going left handed but if you had your choice you would go right-handed.”