Mambonumberfive a big hit, as Mondo Man disappoints

Mondo Man suffered a shock defeat as Mambonumberfive proved far too sharp in the Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

All eyes were on the Gary and Josh Moore-trained Mondo Man, who had finished second to Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba on his British bow having cost €520,000 last autumn after a Flat campaign highlighted by fifth place in the French Derby.

Having been far too keen at Ascot, Caoilin Quinn was keen to settle Mondo Man in the early exchanges, with the 5-6 favourite anchored at the back of the five-runner field, sitting well behind pacesetters Opec and St Pancras.

Mondo Man looked to be travelling noticeably well approaching the last couple of flights, but a lacklustre jump at the penultimate obstacle cost him valuable momentum, while the Ben Pauling-trained Mambonumberfive (10-1) was still on the bridle and cleared the final two hurdles neatly.

Finishing full of running, he came home a length-and-a-quarter winner in the hands of Ben Jones, with St Pancras in second and Mondo Man a further half-length back in third.

“He was a nice horse in France and always looked like a great big individual who was going to take time,” said Pauling, who had sent his charge to Cheltenham on Trials day on his first start for the yard.

“He went to Cheltenham and ran with the choke out, did everything wrong then fell into a hole. I think he’s such a big sort of horse he just wan’t fit and I hold my hands up, I was probably so impressed by what he was doing at home and didn’t give him enough graft.

“We got him back and got stuck into him and that was a lovely round. He kicked the first four out the ground and there is improvement to come, but he got better as the race went on and there will be improvement to come as this is probably not his track.”

Pauling sees Mambonumberfive as a horse for the future and removed him from the JCB Triumph Hurdle mix, but he still holds an entry for the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival for which he is now a best-priced 14-1 with Coral from 20s.

However, a trip to Aintree for the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle would appear more likely.

“He’s 17 hands and I would say he’s a chaser and I’ve always been thinking two years down the line so this is a bonus,” continued Pauling.

“I’m not sure what to make of the form, but it’s a good result and great for the owners who are big supporters of mine. It’s important for these days to go well.

“He’ll run again and we’ve lost our maiden tag now so we may as well try to have some fun. I’ve took him out of the Triumph which is looking like a mistake now, but he’s in the Fred Winter.

“Is the Fred Winter the type of race he wants? I’m not sure and I would say he’s more likely to go to Aintree, it’s a race that fits nicely. We won’t get carried away and it’s probably a good job he isn’t in the Triumph as it just gives him time.”