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Morello takes Listed honours at Kempton

Aidan Coleman rider of Morello RoyalAidan Coleman rider of Morello Royal
© Photo Healy Racing

Morello Royale gained some valuable black type after springing a surprise in Kempton's OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

Despite having question marks over her ability to see out the extended three-mile trip, the 6-1 shot stayed on best of them all to floor 1-2 favourite Polly Peachum and take the Listed prize.

Fairytale Theatre was gifted an early lead and was still in the firing line entering the home straight before being passed by the smooth-travelling Polly Peachum. Although in the lead, the Nicky Henderson-trained runner could not quite shake off the attentions of the eventual winner, who edged ahead after jumping the last.

As the pair settled it out up the run-in, it was Colin Tizzard's charge who got the better of the battle to claim victory by two lengths.

Tony Gale, joint-owner, said: "I said to Aidan (Coleman) beforehand if we finished in the top three I would be happy as we had no expectations of beating the favourite.

"I know we had the weight difference, but I didn't know if she would get the three miles. We brought her as a foal in Ireland and it's nice to get this sort of reward.

"Colin is doing so well at the moment."

Paddy Power go 33/1 about the winner for the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, while Polly Peachum has drifted from 10's to 12's.

Gallery Exhibition left two lacklustre efforts behind by staying on to good effect to take the Larkshill Engineering Network Handicap Chase.

Benefiting from a strong gallop set by the hat-trick-seeking Risk A Fine, the Kim Bailey-trained 8-1 chance bounced back from being pulled up at Warwick last time out to win for the first time since scoring at Ludlow in February.

After being kept prominent by David Bass, the eight-year-old forged past the pacesetting Risk A Fine at the second-last into a lead he was not to relinquish. Taking the final fence in good style, Gallery Exhibition kept on all the way to the line to secure the extended two-and-a-half-mile event by six lengths.

Bailey said: "He ran really badly at Warwick where he never jumped a thing. It has only been in the last week he has been showing there is life back in him.

"The good pace helped and he does want further as he is a two-and-three-quarter-mile horse. We were rather forced to come here as there is not much for him off 134.

"He might go to Aintree next weekend. We will see how he comes out of this."

Lady Of Longstone is a mare evidently on an upward trajectory and David Pipe's charge was brave in making all in the Bradley Partnership Handicap Hurdle.

Making it three wins from her last five starts, the daughter of Beneficial took full advantage of the drop in class and pulled out more on the run for home to hold Presence Felt and Monetary Fund.

Very much advertising himself as a talented 5lb apprentice jockey, David Noonan got the fractions spot on aboard the five-year-old and she ran out a comfortable six-length winner.

Martin Pipe, representing his son, said of the 11-1 winner: "She battled very well and the jockey gave her a great ride and judged the pace well. He's a good young lad and certainly worth his claim.

"Presence Felt challenged us at the last, but made a mistake and we don't know what would have happened. We didn't know if she would handle the ground, but she did it nicely and we're pleased with the win."