Adonis aim for Palladium after €1.4m buy eased to 16-1 for Triumph despite winning on hurdling debut

Palladium, the most expensive jumps horse ever purchased, brought a bit of theatre to a wet Thursday at Huntingdon with a winning debut over hurdles but was eased by most bookmakers for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March despite posting a silky display.

The Adonis Hurdle at Kempton next month is likely to be next for the German Derby winner, who was appearing for the first time since changing hands for €1.4 million (£1.18m) at Arqana in October. 

The appearance of the Lady Bamford-owned entire added intrigue to the eight-race card and he was given a good education by Nico de Boinville in division two of the 2m maiden hurdle, recouping a first prize of £4,220.

Travelling well in second or third for most of the trip, the 8-15 favourite eased to the front at the third-last before going on to hold the late thrust of 50-1 shot Wolf Moon by two lengths.

The winner was eased to 16-1 (from 12) by Paddy Power for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, which is sponsored by his owner and for which his stablemate Lulamba is the top-priced 13-8 favourite.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "There's a sense of relief I suppose but he was big and bold at some of his hurdles and he just enjoyed it. He was in front probably longer than we were planning on but he showed his class and I'm really pleased.

"I'm glad we brought him to Huntingdon as it's a good track to learn on. We could have taken him to Cheltenham for Trials day this weekend but that would have been unfair on him and this [soft] ground will probably be better than any we'll get this weekend anyway."

Palladium heads to post before his jumps debutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lady Bamford last had a winner over jumps when Torn Silk won a novice chase at Musselburgh in 1999 and Henderson added: "He's the only colt we've got on the place and they do need a bit more work. We haven't got that busy with him yet, so there'll be more to come fitness wise. 

"We gave him a break when he came over from France, although he originated in Germany, as when he ends what will be a short hurdling campaign there are some nice targets on the Flat for him. 

"Hopefully he'll go to the Triumph Hurdle but before you know it he'll be back on the Flat as he's a Group 1 winner with a stallion's pedigree.The consensus afterwards was to give him another run, which will likely be the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton on February 22." 

He added:  "If he and Lulamba have to run against each other at some point then they will have to, but we're keeping all options open."

Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson after Palladium's debut winCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Lady Bamford's new racing manager Henry Lascelles said: "He jumped very well and learned on the job. Nico was very impressed with him, especially when he went on turning in. The ground probably went against him a little. He'll be better on better ground. Hopefully he'll improve again next time.

"The Bamford family have sponsored the JCB Triumph Hurdle for a number of years and the plan is to run him there and hopefully he can get there in one piece. He's a lovely-looking horse and there is plenty to look forward to on the Flat too."

Palladium was the highest-rated Flat horse to appear at the track since subsequent Breeders' Cup winner Wuheida had a racecourse gallop at the course in 2017.

The analyst's view

By David Toft

Palladium, last year's German Derby winner who fetched €1,400,000 in October, making him the most expensive jumps purchase, had a lot of hype surrounding his hurdling debut but wasn't strong in the market in the minutes leading to the off. 

Always to the fore, the only four-year-old in the line-up travelled well enough, jumped okay in the main and never looked like losing once ahead. He just didn't do it impressively and bookmakers eased him in the Triumph Hurdle betting as a result. 

However, there wasn't much to fault and he can come on from this first start for 123 days, with the Adonis Hurdle a possibility before going to Cheltenham.

JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.20 Cheltenham, March 14)
Paddy Power: 6-4 Lulamba, 6 East India Dock, Hello Neighbour, 8 Lady Vega Allen, 10 Sainte Lucie, 16 Palladium, 25 bar

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