Jer's Girl beaten by La Bague at Kempton La Bague Au Roi was very game in winning the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Kempton. Warren Greatrex's six-year-old won a similar race at Wetherby on her reappearance over two miles, but was stepping up a mile in trip and had to shoulder a 4lb penalty. Richard Johnson set only a steady pace in front and, on the run to the last, had everything beaten bar Jer's Girl. Barry Geraghty looked to have done everything right on Gavin Cromwell's 5-4 favourite and despite meeting the last all wrong, Jer's Girl got away from it the quicker and hit the front. However, La Bague Au Roi rallied to the cause and ultimately prevailed by half a length at 11-4. Greatrex said: "She's so tough, she's got a huge will to win. "She was stepping up to three miles, but she definitely gets the trip and that opens up a lot of doors now. "She's got a great attitude, she jumped brilliantly today and that is obviously a career best, giving 4lb to Jer's Girl, who is a high-class mare herself. "She quickened up well after the last, so it was really pleasing." He added: "I'd still love to try her over fences, but when you are winning races like this it just makes you think. It's great to have a mare like her in the yard. She's very good. "I was going to see how she got on and plan from there, so we'll have to see which way we go." The winner is now a 16/1 chance (from 25's) with Paddy Power for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
