Jerrysback

Jerrysback stayed on well to take third place behind the game front-running Dashel Drasher in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap chase at Ascot on Saturday. Settled nicely in mid-division early on by Richard Johnson, it took Jerrysback a little while to warm to his task, but he had settled into his rhythm by the time they raced up the home straight first time. Dashel Drasher set an unrelenting pace in front, and most of his rivals were happy to allow him off. Jerrysback made nice progress as they raced to the sixth last fence, and he moved into fourth place as they rounded the home turn. He stayed on well from there too. It never really looked like he was going to get to Dashel Drasher, but he moved into third place at the second last fence, and he kept on well from there to get to within four lengths of the winner by the time they got to the winning line.

It was a most encouraging comeback run by Philip Hobbs’ horse. Two for two over hurdles four seasons ago, he has raced just eight times over fences since, including just twice last season, and this was his first run since he finished third behind fellow JP McManus-owned horse Regal Encore in the Silver Cup at Ascot in December 2019. He has obviously had his issues, but he will be of interest if he can get a good run at racing now. The handicapper left him on his mark of 142 after this, a mark that is 6lb lower than his peak, and that is a mark off which there could be a good handicap chase in him. He will be of interest wherever he goes next, but he goes particularly well at Ascot, and he handles soft ground well.
Ascot, 23^rd January 2021