Charisma Cat grabbed the victory her form deserved with an impressive performance in the BetVictor British EBF “National Hunt” Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.
Alan King’s six-year-old was a Listed bumper winner last term and was yet to finish outside the first two in four hurdling outings, winning at Chepstow in January before chasing home the well-regarded Khrisma at Market Rasen last time out.
While Khrisma may have let that form down at Kelso earlier in the afternoon, there was no stopping Charisma Cat, who was always towards the front and had plenty in reserve to beat off all her challengers in the straight.
The step up in trip clearly worked the oracle for the 6-1 scorer who came home three and a quarter lengths clear of 16-1 chance Pismo Beach.
King told Sky Sports Racing: “She was a very good bumper mare and it was her jumping that was costing her earlier in the season. She schooled very well at home and she ran well her on her debut but at Wincanton when we were 1-6 she never jumped a hurdle.
“The cheekpieces have just sharpened her up and it was a good performance today.
“We bumped into a good mare of Nicky Henderson’s at Market Rasen last time but I had to run her to qualify her for today. She went up 4lb for that which I wasn’t overly pleased about but she has got away with it.
“I’ve brought some good mares here before off top-weight who have got beaten off ones with 10-and-a-half stone. It didn’t happen today thank goodness.”
