Klimt Madrik
Klimt Madrik did well to stay on as well as he did to land the two-and-a-half-mile novices' hurdle at Newbury on Saturday. Held up towards the rear of the field through the early stages of the race, he travelled well and he jumped well and he made nice ground early on the home straight. Kevin Brogan was patient on him, he didn't ask him for maximum effort until after they had landed over the final flight and, when he did, he stayed on strongly on the far side to just get up and beat his old rival Kalkbrenner by a head.
Toby Lawes' horse had finished almost seven lengths behind Kalkbrenner in a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las four weeks earlier, but that was Klimt Madrik's first run under Rules. Also, he made a bad mistake at the second last flight just as he was moving into contention, and he was a little green as they raced around the by-passed second last flight. He was sent off at 33/1 for that race, and he was a biggish price here again, a much bigger price than Kalkbrenner, despite the fact that he was meeting him on 6lb better terms. It may be that the market will continue to under-rate him, at least a little, but this was a nice step forward from his racecourse debut, and there is every chance that he will be able to step forward again now. A half-brother to Jumper Madrik, who won over two and a half miles, from the family of good staying chaser Lord Du Mesnil, he could improve again if and when he steps up in trip.
This is a race that has been won in the recent past by The New Lion, Stay Away Fay, Stage Star and Bravemansgame. Four of the last five winners went on to win Grade 1 contests. Three of the last five winners won the Challow Hurdle next, over this course and distance, and that would be a legitimate target now for Klimt Madrik.
Newbury, 29th November 2025
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