Botox Has the scalp of Allmankind in Masterson Triumph

Botox Has gained his revenge on his conqueror from Cheltenham in November when taking the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham under Jamie Moore for the jockey’s father Gary Moore.

Sent off a 7/1 fancy after a near 10 and a half month break since scoring over the New Course on International Hurdle Day last December, he took aim and issue with the short favourite going down the back and made his move rounding the bend to power away up the famous hill at Prestbury Park.

Starting off at the top of the home straight, favourite Allmankind took the field along as customary, though he wasn’t wearing his usual headgear which was a surprise. Nordano was keen to get on with the job, taking him on at the first but being relegated to third as the field went over the second and into the country. Botox Has made his way into second and sat 2 lengths off the leader as the field went into the back.

The first two made fine leaps over the third and fourth hurdles, while Nordano was being ridden and niggled along by Bryony Frost, the horse not travelling as fluently as in the past where he was able to snatch the lead.

Anna Bunina stuffed the fourth hurdle, the gamble not travelling as well as some of her market rivals. At the head of affairs, Botox Has was creeping closer and taking closer issue with the leader, who responded by going afew lengths clear coming down the hill. Statagen was going backwards faster than forwards, while Anna Bunina was still not quite landing a telling blow and fluffed 3 out.

Swinging into the straight Botox Has was pulled out to challenge and surpass the leader, while The Pink’n had made striking progress and quickly took second off the long time leader as well. A good leap from Botox Has sealed the day for him and he kept on up the hill to score by four lengths to The Pink’m, who had clearly benefitted for a run at Chepstow a few weeks back behind Thyme White. Allmankind was third, while Irish raider Anna Bunina could only finish fourth.

Speaking to Rishi Persad of ITV Racing post race, Jamie stated that he was “delighted

2 with the winner, who the yard thinks a lot of. In taking the scalp of his November conqueror, he reflected on that meeting by going on to say “he travelled better and ground it out well”.

“ I was mindful to stay close to Harry as he caught me out at the November meeting”.

Where he goes next is up for debate, and it may be that he lines up for the International Hurdle back at Cheltenham in December, or given he is a big, strapping horse, he may be next seen, or at least very soon, over a fence.