Ranjaan wins well at Kempton

Ranjaan winning at Kempton December 2011. Photo by Matthew Webb

Ranjaan put himself firmly back in the Triumph Hurdle picture with a four length victory in the £25 Free Bet With williamhill.com Mobile Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton. Sent off the even-money favourite, Ranjaan took some time to settle off the slow early pace but soon settled into a good rhythm, jumping impecably.

Rounding the home turn, Daryl Jacob had him under some restraint as he moved up to join the leaders and after a good jump at the last, he pulled four lengths clear of Lemon Drop Red. These two were were 19 lengths clear of the third home Malanos.

After the race Paul Nicholls assistant Dan Skelton said, “He was a bit lethargic at Newbury and nothing like the horse he was today. He’s a typical juvenile after getting gelding and has improved. We will give him a break now and bring him back for spring targets en route to the Triumph. Better ground definitely suits him. He’s progressive as a lot of juveniles are.”