Jamarjo much the best in National Hunt Cup
Jamarjo, runner-up in the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory at Belmont Park last season and a winner over the local course a year ago, regained his good form to dominate Saturday’s Grade 3, $50,000 National Hunt Cup, the feature at the 87th Radnor Hunt Races in Malvern, Pa.
A 10-year-old Irish-bred son of Marju trained by Leslie Young and owned by Irv Naylor, Jamarjo was ridden by Graham Watters, a replacement for injured jockey Paddy Young.
Jamarjo, second in an allowance hurdle at Foxfield on April 29, took over from tiring pacesetter Portrade coming through the backstretch of the 2 3/8-mile race over National Fences the second time and drew off to win by 6 1/2 lengths. The winning time was 4:30.40.
Special Skills finished second, two lengths ahead of Charminster.
In the $30,000 Radnor Hunt Cup, a 3 1/4-mile event over timber, a stewards’ inquiry enabled the 8-year-old Mystic Strike to improve his record to 3 for 3 as a jumper.
Mystic Strike, an 8-year-old son of Smart Strike making his first start for trainer Ricky Hendriks and ridden by Mark Beecher, finished a nose behind favored Ebanour. But the two horses made contact jumping the final fence together and Ebanour was disqualified for interference and placed second.