Eamon homes in on a return to winning ways despite a weighty test
EAMON An Cnoic resumed winning ways when giving weight to two rivals in the David Ashforth And Friends Limited Handicap Chase at Plumpton.
A beaten favourite when third at Haydock in December after winning there earlier in the month, David Pipe’s seven-year-old got back on track, although it was not without a scare for the 10-11 shot in the dying strides.
San Pedro De Senam set the pace until a mistake at the fifth-last cost him his chance, and both Holbrook Park and Eamon An Cnoic went past him.
The latter led over the last, but was all out under Tom Scudamore to hold his rallying rival by half a length. San Pedro De Senam unseated his rival at the final fence when well adrift.
“It’s a tricky course to jump round. It’s probably the best he’s jumped over fences so far,” said Pipe.
“He doesn’t do very much when he gets to the front, but we’re back on track with him after he disappointed last time.
“I expect he’ll have entries at Cheltenham. We’ll see what happens between now and then.”
Sir Hubert (5-1) asserted after jumping the final fence to get off the mark at the 20th attempt in the Strong Flavours Catering Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Andrew Glassonbury produced the Richard Rowe-trained eightyear-old to challenge Le Coeur Net before the second-last and he made the most of 19lb he received from that rival to score by three and threequarter lengths.
Rowe said: “If ever a horse deserved to win a race, he did. We know what his level is, but he always does his best.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with any other winner I’ve had. It was really nice to see him get his head in front. He’s a real trier.
“Andrew gave him a lovely ride. He’s not ridden a winner for a while.”
He added: “If the ground starts to dry out we’ll probably have to go further with him.
“It may not have been quite soft enough for him today. Over that trip on this track, he wants very heavy ground. We’ll see what the weather does.”
Zoe Davison’s The Golden Hour (16-1) opened his account after six failed efforts when taking the Nigel And Barbara Collison Supporting The IJF Handicap Hurdle off bottom weight in the hands of 5lb claimer Tommy Dowling.
Harmonise (5-2) made up for being brought down at the last when still in contention on her jumps debut at Ascot as she got off the mark in the SW Catering Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Sheena West’s charge ran the opposition into the ground as she made all to outpoint 4-6 favourite Kaloci by three and three-quarter lengths in the hands of Marc Goldstein.
Gary Moore’s Graasten (5-1) made a triumphant return after 331 days off when defying top weight in the IEP Financial Handicap Hurdle.
Leading before two out, the sixyear-old pulled 10 lengths clear of Ding Ding despite jumping out to the left.