Racing: Le Coudray shows Stayers' Hurdle style
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LE COUDRAY, Aidan O'Brien's expensive import from France, took his first step towards a confrontation with Lady Rebecca and Deano's Beeno in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham with a bloodless victory on his Irish debut at Naas yesterday.
The five-year-old was left clear two flights out by the fall of Archive Footage, the Ladbroke Hurdle winner, and came home by 20 lengths from Limestone Lad. Archive Footage had appeared to be responding to strong driving from Tony McCoy but crashed on landing and Swan could afford a couple of looks over his shoulder before Le Coudray followed up his five wins last year in France.
McCoy emerged unscathed from that tumble and an earlier fall four fences out from Foxchapel King in the novice chase as they raced upsides the odds-on Rince Ri, who was left to come home unchallenged.
Less fortunate was Norman Williamson, despite a win on Nibalda in the handicap hurdle. Williamson took a heavy fall from The Vendor in the handicap chase and may have to rest for a couple of days. "I have punctured my right shoulder and it's pretty sore," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments