Plumpton saw one of the greatest horses to ever visit the track on Sunday with the dual French Grade 1 winner Master Dino going on to show off why he is so highly thought of.
The French raider firmly put his name in the hat for the JLT Novices Chase at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival with a striking performance in the Follow At The Races On Twitter Novices’ Chase over 2 miles 3 1/2 furlongs.
This was his trainer, Guillaume Macaire first winner in the United Kingdom for just over six years with his last coming back in December 2012.
He tactically got the race spot on never letting the front running Knocknanuss get to far away and then with two fences to jump just strolled past the long time leader to go on and score in style by seven lengths.
The 11/10 favourite for winning this race firmly put himself into the ring to go to the Cheltenham Festival and compete strongly in the JLT Novices Chase and from that race has now gone to the top of the market at a general 9/2 price.
Another bonus that may lead the trainer to head to Cheltenham is after winning this race at Plumpton, he is on course if winning at the festival to secure a bonus of £60,000 in a new scheme the track started this year.
(Credit At The Races)Master Dino's Multiple French Champion Trainer said: The next step is Sandown, then the middle distance (JLT) at Cheltenham.
“In my opinion, the Arkle could be too fast for him. He used to be a bit keen at home, but I’ve worked a lot on relaxing him – so now he won’t understand if we ask him to do that.
“We’ve worked many months to have a horse able to manage his potential himself – so it would be silly to try to do the reverse.
“I will enter him anyway in the Arkle, but the target is the middle distance. That’s the logical (step).”
The Grade 1 winning hurdler was making his British debut and for Plumpton it was huge day in the history of the course that the trainer chose here for such a special horse to perform there.
Macaire was really pleased with the way his gelding handled the conditions in a different country after having just one other chase start back in France.
(Credit At The Races) The trainer added: I’m very pleased, because it was a test today – he doesn’t speak English, only French!
“He’s learning, but it’s the first time for him.“The ground is rarely deep at Cheltenham, so this experience will be very useful – because he’s shown he’s able to follow a good pace but also has stamina.
“He stays, and was not tired at all after the race – which is a good sign.”
(Credit At The Races)