'It’s a big feather in his cap' – delight for Ben Pauling as Fiercely Proud downs Kabral Du Mathan in epic Ascot battle

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Ben Pauling praised the desire Fiercely Proud demonstrated when defeating Kabral Du Mathan to land a big prize following a thrilling conclusion to the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle. 

A photo-finish was required to split the pair after their enthralling battle to the line, but it was the mount of Kielan Woods who came out on top by a short-head margin.

It was a first victory in 12 months for the five-year-old, who recorded his biggest success to date when scooping a pot of more than £70,000 for connections.

Fiercely Proud prevails in a photo-finish with Kabral Du Mathan

Pauling said: "Horses like him, they’re good horses but they’re not superstars. To land a big handicap is not always that easy, so when you get one you’re thankful and you hope for the best for the rest of the season.

"He battled, but I think we just held on – you wouldn’t want to go much further. It’s a big feather in his cap and we’ll look at Newbury and the County Hurdle, but he might be better right-handed."

It has taken Fiercely Proud a bit of time to get going this season. He was withdrawn after unseating Callum Pritchard on the way to the start for his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham in October before falling two out when in contention at this track last month.

He followed that with a sixth place in the Greatwood Hurdle, but this time he was good enough to reverse Cheltenham form with several runners. 

"We thought he was well handicapped at the beginning of the season, but we got it all wrong," Pauling said. "He got loose at Cheltenham and we rode him too handy here, but we had to drop him out in the Greatwood and he had so much to do in that race.

"We had to change tactics here and it worked. They went so hard but it’s good to see. Two-mile handicap hurdles should be fast run – it’s what we’re here for. This year they’ve been poor, they’ve been run at such a dawdle. This is what we need for these sorts of horses because he was able to settle off a good gallop. 

"I’m delighted for the owners and it’s nice for the horse to win a big one. It’s brilliant and just what we wanted."

Despite Kabral Du Mathan losing his unbeaten record, Paul Nicholls was pleased with his effort and will now look to give his runner-up a little break.

"We’re thrilled and for a four-year-old it was a mighty run," he said. "He’ll go straight to the Betfair Hurdle [February 8] now, we won’t run him before then and we’ll look after him. 

"It’s hard for four-year-olds in their second season, but that was a very good run and he’s a progressive horse."

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