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.

Mambonumberfive had been pulled up on his British debut at Cheltenham last month and his only Cheltenham Festival entry is in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, for which he is now a best-priced 14-1 with Coral from 20s.