Fusil Raffles enters Triumph picture with impressive Adonis win on British debut

Fusil Raffles announced himself as a live Triumph Hurdle contender with an impressive victory in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

Nicky Henderson last won this race with Soldatino in 2010 and that horse, like Fusil Raffles owned by Isaac Souede and Simon Munir, went on to win the Triumph the following month at Cheltenham.

After sitting behind the leaders, Daryl Jacob asked the four-year-old to quicken in the straight and he pulled clear of the field with remarkable ease. Previous course winner Beat The Judge was best of the rest in second, with Praeceps third.

Jacob said: "He felt a nice horse and I had a lovely position throughout the race. His work when he came over was good enough. He's had a few setbacks but everyone's patience has been rewarded."

Henderson said: "That was a nice surprise from Fusil Raffles, who has had a horrible winter, but is a lovely horse. He was quite sick in the middle of it – he didn't have flu – but just couldn't throw it off.

"He really hasn't done a lot of work and Daryl came to school him on Thursday just to decide which of the two he'd ride. I said, 'I quite liked this horse, but hadn't done much with him'.

"He was always having a nice time, but he's got quite a nasty cut on his leg and I hope it doesn't get in our way. I haven't spoken to the owners, but we've got to take the Irish on with something in the Triumph. We'll have to have a look, but we'll just have to look at that cut."

Paddy Power were suitably impressed, cutting him to 9-2 for the Triumph.

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