There are days on the racecourse that remind you why connections pour their hearts into these animals. Saturday’s feature at Kempton Park provided one such moment, as the popular nine-year-old Lookaway stormed to a commanding victory in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase, justifying 3-1 favouritism with a performance full of grit and class.
Always travelling sweetly near the head of affairs, the son of Ask seized control approaching the penultimate fence and powered clear up the home straight. He crossed the line a remarkable 24 lengths ahead of Leader In The Pack, with the rest well beaten in the three-mile contest. It marked the first time the market leader had claimed this prestigious handicap since Gungadu’s success back in 2008, underlining just how rare and hard-earned such a dominant display can be.
Trainer Neil King, based in Wiltshire, was overcome with emotion after the race. “I just adore the horse and live for the horse,” he said. “We’ve had a few struggles with him over the last couple of years, so to get this result… Mr Peter Beadles is such a wonderful owner, and I have three lovely horses for him. Storming George disappointed in the previous race but this kind of makes up for it. Sadly, we are down on numbers like a lot of people but let’s hope this horse can draw a few more in.”
Jockey Jack Quinlan, who has formed a strong partnership with the gelding, echoed those sentiments. “I am very, very lucky to get to ride this horse. He has been around a few years now and has a great will to win – he never really lets us down.” Quinlan explained how he tracked the pace comfortably before unleashing his mount’s staying power. “He is so used to getting into a war at the front end… I was always in my comfort zone and then he galloped on strongly and saw it out really well.” He added that after a below-par run from stablemate Storming George earlier on the card, Lookaway had lifted the entire team.
The victory caps a fine career for Lookaway, who has already landed Grade Two successes in a bumper and over hurdles, and now adds this valuable Saturday handicap chase to his tally.
Earlier on the card, another heartwarming story unfolded in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle. La Luna Artista, a bargain €5,000 purchase from France by trainer Jane Williams just over two years ago, produced a sparkling display to land the two-mile contest by 13 lengths from One Horse Town. The filly by Spanish Moon took up the running two out and ran on powerfully, confirming the high opinion her connections hold of her.
Rider Ciaran Gethings was full of praise. “She is a very, very smart filly and Jane has done a wonderful job training her — she has looked after her everywhere.” He noted her speed and cleverness at the obstacles, especially after a quick early gallop.
For Williams, saddling her first Graded winner in her own name, the success carried extra meaning. “It’s fantastic. She was a replacement for a horse the syndicate lost at Newbury last season… She was inexpensive but is by Spanish Moon and is a lovely big filly who has done absolutely nothing wrong. She is very professional.” Williams, who focuses heavily on pedigree when selecting her horses, revealed that a trip to the Cheltenham Festival is unlikely, with a future over fences the long-term plan for this talented prospect.
The Grade Two action continued with comfortable successes for Jax Junior (trained by Lucy Wadham, ridden by Tom Cannon, 8-11 favourite) in the Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase and Klub De Reve (Harry Derham/Paul O’Brien, 7-2) in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, rounding off a day of high-class jumping at the Sunbury track.
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