Spirit beats Clara in Listed Kempton Hurdle Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty's torrid time at Kempton continued in the Listed OLBG Mares' Hurdle when Polly Peachum was another turned over behind Carole's Spirit. Henderson and Geraghty had already tasted defeat at odds-on twice on the card when 8/11 favourite Polly Peachum suffered the same fate. Daryl Jacob was gifted an advantage on Carole's Spirit after nobody wanted to go on at the start and it was one she never relinquished. Robert Walford's mare had not been seen since January but she lacked for nothing in the fitness department, producing a spring-heeled leap at the last to win going away. Gordon Elliott's Irish raider Clara McCloud gave vain chase in the straight but she was eight lengths behind the 11-1 winner at the line. Polly Peachum made a very bad blunder at the final flight but was well beaten at the time. Jacob said: "It wasn't something we wanted to do beforehand (make the running) because she gets a little bit idle in front and jumps to her right. "I didn't really want to do it but we just wanted an even gallop and we were able to get a cheap lead." Walford said: "Paul (Murphy, owner) likes having mares to win these races. Halfway round I was very satisfied, it was ideal. "There's a Grade Two at Ascot for her, she's quite good fresh so we'll go straight there, and then the plan will be Cheltenham if things go well."
