Nelson River

Nelson River ran well at a big price in the two-mile handicap hurdle that Buzz won on Saturday, better than the bare form of the run suggests. He raced in mid-division from early, but he got a little out-paced when they quickened over the fourth last flight, and he dropped to second last at the third last flight. But he stayed on really well from the home turn and over the last two flights to get up and take fourth place, only just failing to catch Ecco for third.

They went a fair pace here, Rosie And Millie went fast from early, so it was a good test at the trip, but Tony Carroll’s horse could do better still when there is an even greater emphasis on stamina. He does go well on good ground, and he could do better now over a longer trip, ideally on better ground. He won his two hurdle races as a juvenile two seasons ago on good and good to soft ground, and he ran well in the 2019 Triumph Hurdle to finish fourth behind Pentland Hills. He is only five, there could be more to come from him, and the fact that the handicapper dropped him by 2lb to a mark of 136 is a bonus.

Ascot, 20^th November 2020