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Ground proves Lalor's undoing as Dynamite Dollars enters Arkle picture

Dynamite Dollars (right) stays on up the hill to beat Ornua
Dynamite Dollars (right) stays on up the hill to beat OrnuaCredit: Mark Cranham

The horse who was expected to win this race but did not is still a shorter price for the Racing Post Arkle than the horse who was not expected to win here but did.

That might initially sound odd, but after Dynamite Dollars reversed Cheltenham form with Lalor at Sandown on Saturday, you sensed Paul Nicholls was simply happy, and a bit surprised, that his smart novice has become a championship contender.

On the first day of this meeting 12 months ago Dynamite Dollars was beaten 31 lengths in the Grade 2 novice hurdle. Thereafter he lost another two races over hurdles at a far lower level than this Grade 1, in which he overhauled gallant front-runner Ornua to win under Harry Cobden.

A length and three-quarters separated the first two in the Randox Health-backed Henry VIII Novices' Chase, with ten lengths back to Lalor, who had been so impressive on his Cheltenham chasing debut but on this occasion struggled in the mud, just as he had in last season's Betfair Hurdle.

Dynamite Dollars (Harry Cobden,farside) jumps the last fence and beats Ornua in the Henry VIII ChaseSandown 8.12.18 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Ornua (5) lands over the last in the lead but Dynamite Dollars prevailsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Even so, Lalor is no bigger than 9-1 for the Arkle – and generally shorter – whereas Dynamite Dollars is as big as 20-1. Monday's Plumpton winner Kalashnikov is now clear market leader at between 11-4 and 4-1.


Racing Post Arkle odds and possible runners


Nicholls said: "As I said in the paper this morning, different track, different ground, different day, who knows?

"I thought he was a bit dull in his coat when he ran at Cheltenham. He still ran well but I knew he was better than that, which is why we ran today, hoping to turn the tables."


Henry VIII winners for Paul Nicholls

YearHorseJockey
1998Dines Tony McCoy
2003ThisthatandtotherRuby Walsh
2007MarodimaSam Thomas
2011Al FerofRuby Walsh
2013HinterlandDaryl Jacob
2014Vibrato ValtatNoel Fehily
2018Dynamite DollarsHarry Cobden
Scroll >>> table to view

Asked if he sees his seventh Henry VIII victor as an Arkle candidate, Nicholls added: "I suppose you have to think that. We'll probably go to Kempton for the Wayward Lad and then work it out from there.

"This time last year you wouldn't have entertained running him in a Grade 1 against Lalor but physical improvement in horses from year to year can be astonishing. He's an exciting horse."

Lalor and Richard Johnson finish third at Sandown
Lalor and Richard Johnson finish third at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lalor's rider Richard Johnson was adamant he is still looking forward to the Arkle, as is trainer Kayley Woollacott.

"It was the same problem we had at Newbury," she said. "He couldn't get into the race on the ground but at least he has had more experience over fences and he jumped well, bar being slow at one.

"I had been concerned about the ground, and he does look a lot better on better ground, but having won a Grade 1 on soft before we felt we had to take the chance."

Lalor's next chance is likely to come in late January at Doncaster.


Look back on the best jumps action of the year in the new edition of the Racing Post Annual. Click here to order or call 01933 304858

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Lee MottersheadSenior writer

Published on 8 December 2018inReports

Last updated 15:35, 8 December 2018

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