'She's the best!' La Bague Au Roi edges out Topofthegame in Kauto Star thriller

La Bague Au Roi put in a regal performance to edge out Topofthegame in a thrilling 32Red Kauto Star Novices' Chase.

After a daring round of jumping, the winner made her first and only mistake at the third-last but battled back to deny Topofthegame, with favourite Santini in third.

Having looked a top-notch edition on paper, a race previously run as the Feltham did not disappoint. The only shock was the modest early pace, with front-runners Bags Groove and Red Indian not setting the frantic gallop that had been anticipated.

La Bague Au Roi, racing in third, jumped exuberantly from the off and jumped to the lead early in the back straight, with Richard Johnson more than happy to let her lead.

With the pace turned up, the likes of Bags Groove and Santini struggled to keep touch, with Topofthegame going on in second.

A mistake three out by the leader left Topofthegame in command but La Bague Au Roi was a tenacious rival and fought back for a one-and-a-half-length win at 8-1.

“Unbelievable! She’s the best you’ll get,” said delighted winning trainer Warren Greatrex. “We could have gone for easier options but decided to come here and take on the boys and she’s jumped them into the ground.

“What can I say? She’s a joy to train and thanks to everyone at home.”

The winner was cut to a general 8-1 (from around 14) for the RSA Chase, although third-home Santini still heads the market at 4-1, having stayed on well for third but without ever looking like winning.

Winning rider Johnson added: “She’s a star and jumps so well. To be fair to her, I went for a long one three out and she was cautious and looked after me. At the last and second-last she was very brave. She deserved it and is a top-class mare."

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