Palladium makes workmanlike start with victory at Huntingdon

German Derby hero Palladium made a successful start to his career over hurdles with a workmanlike victory at Huntingdon.

Nicky Henderson’s charge became the most expensive jumps horse ever bought in October after being knocked down to Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of owner Lady Bamford for the sum of €1.4million at the Arqana Arc Sale.

The four-year-old won twice on the Flat in Germany, including his Classic triumph in the Deutsches Derby at Hamburg in the summer, while he was last seen finishing last of six behind Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting start Rebel’s Romance in the Preis von Europa in September.

All eyes were on the colt son of Gleneagles ahead of his highly-anticipated switch to jumping and he was an easy-to-back 8-15 favourite under Nico de Boinville for division two of the Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle.

Having jumped well throughout behind the pacesetting pair of Taxus Baccata and Jack Hyde, Palladium was allowed to stride on leaving the back straight and looked set to win comfortably after pulling clear of the chasing pack.

Unconsidered 50-1 shot Wolf Moon came from out of the pack to emerge as the biggest threat after the home turn and De Boinville had to get a little serious after the final flight, but Palladium found enough for pressure to score by two lengths.

Paddy Power eased the winner’s odds for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival to 16-1 from 12-1, with his stablemate Lulamba heading the market at 6-4. Coral took the opposite view, going 12-1 from 16s for the Triumph.

Henderson said: “There was pressure because the whole world was going to sit down and watch and probably laugh at us if we have taken him to Huntingdon for a novice hurdle and got him stuffed. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and has come on tons. He will be going Flat racing and he is a potential stallion, we’re just having a bit of fun.

“The first thing was did he enjoy it and he did, and he’s got a fantastic temperament. Not every colt is going to take to this game, but he’s lovely and I thought he jumped beautifully – he was big and bold. Nico said he put him in the bottom of a couple just to make him do it that way and he’s won cosily.

“He will come on a lot and Nico said he was quite stuffy and I can accept that as he hasn’t done a lot of galloping and these colts do want plenty of work – he’s got a long summer ahead of him.

“He can have a 10 out of 10 from me and you couldn’t wish for much more and he’s raced professionally. He was out in front, in behind and has jumped well from beginning to end and took a good blow as well.

“We’re mindful of what’s ahead and he hasn’t had many wind-ups yet.”