Tritonic made another successful outing at Ascot to win the valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.
The Alan King-trained four-year-old confirmed the promise of his early days over the smaller obstacles, that included victory in the Grade Two Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton in February. with a sterling display in a highly-competitive event.
Global Citizen and No Ordinary Joe set a strong gallop from the start and there were plenty in with chances as the field turned for home with two flights left.
Adrian Heskin produced Tritonic (8-1) to strike the front and hold the challenge of Onemorefortheroad by two and three-quarter lengths. Garry Clermont was half a length away in third place.
King said: "The Greatwood Hurdle probably manned him up a bit - he has never been as quick in his life over hurdles. Clearly he has come forward for it.
Right back to form! Tritonic is delivered beautifully to take this valuable Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle at @Ascot under @adrianheskin for Alan King! pic.twitter.com/HbEZj43Qqe
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 18, 2021
"I did hope he would run well, but it is just not a race four-year-olds win. He was just so much sharper over his hurdles than he was at Cheltenham and I read this morning that he might not be a Cheltenham horse and they might be right because twice he has really disappointed. Maybe he is a better horse around here.
"I would imagine he will go to the Schweppes - or the Betfair Hurdle as I think it is called."
Heskin said: "Kempton was the blow away (moment) last year and then he went to Cheltenham and let us down a little bit. Each time we have gone to Cheltenham we thought he hasn't handled it, but we were really looking forward to getting him back on this track.
"They went a strong gallop early and I was flat to the boards until the second-last when he came back on the bridle. He is a very smart horse - to do that as a four-year-old was very impressive.
"We had a plan and we changed our plan as we came into the parade ring and I'm glad we did as I was able to ride him with a bit more free reign and ride him as cool as ice. I knew they would go very hard and you can't keep the gallop going.
"I didn't expect him to pick up like that though!"
