Paul Nicholls watched on with delight as his early season plan with Blueking D’Oroux (5-2) came to fruition as the four year old made his return to action a triumphant one in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle on day two of The Showcase at Cheltenham today.
The son of Jeu St Eloi added his name to a list of previous winners of the two-mile contest which includes dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, who won the 2014 renewal and multiple Grade One winner Dodging Bullets, successful in the 2012 edition of the race.
Having been transformed by a mid-season wind operation during the last campaign, the Johnny de la Hey-owned runner took another step forward when sweeping to the front in the £40,000 contest in almost effortless fashion on the run around the home turn.
Although Jilaijone emerged a lively threat on the run to the last, Blueking D’Oroux confirmed his superiority over the field when bounding on up the run in before crossing the line two lengths clear of the David Pipe-trained representative.
Nicholls said: “He only went off that price as they backed Gary’s (Moore horse Spirit D’Aunou). He is a nice horse.
“I’m thrilled with that. On ratings he was entitled to win and we had him ready for today. He has improved so much for last season’s wind operation, as he was a disaster at the start of last season.
“He had improved at home since last season. A few of ours have been needing a run, but the ones we have targeted at races like Rubaud and Captain Teague have all won and he had been targeted for today. That was a proper job.
“He has an entry in the Greatwood Hurdle, and he will have an entry in the nice race at Ascot before Christmas and in the Betfair Hurdle after Christmas.
“The Greatwood Hurdle would have to be under serious consideration now. If not Johnny (de la Hey) likes having runners at Ascot so we could wait and take him there.
“He has won at Ascot before and he stays well. You want a good horse to stay in those big handicaps. I’m thrilled with him.”
The victory also provided winning jockey Harry Cobden with his 50th success of the campaign. And following the win he hinted that Blueking D’Oroux should return to the track for the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle on November 19th.
Cobden said: “If he was going to any good he had to win that today as simple as that. He travelled well and jumped well. He did everything right.
“Last time I rode him he only did half a mile. They have managed to sort the problems out at home and he progressed massively last season.
“If he is the horse we thought he was he had to win that race. Hopefully we will bring him back in three weeks (for the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle).”
Sponsor Unibet make Blueking D'Oroux a 10-1 for the Greatwood Hurdle. Weights for the contest are revealed on Tuesday (October 31st).
