Neptune Equester

Neptune Equester put up a nice performance to land the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Wetherby last Friday. It looked beforehand as if the trip was probably going to be on the sharp side for a horse who had won twice over three miles and who had finished second in the Durham National over three and a half, but that that negative would be commuted somewhat by the fact that there was likely to be plenty of pace on, with several front-runners set to take each other on. But the fast pace didn't really materialise. The front-runners didn't take each other on, the others seemed to be content enough to allow Frankie Figg a fairly easy lead. They did quicken up down the back straight final time, however, when Mister McGoldrick went on, and Neptune Equester came under a little bit of pressure in behind, it looked like he was struggling to go with them. He did improve to hunt up the leaders going around the home turn, and he came back on the bridle at the top of the home straight. From there he stayed on well, taking it up from Qulinton after the third last, with Fearghal Davis appearing to be reluctant to allow him go on too early. The horse pricked his ears when he got to the front, and it seemed like he was only just doing enough, but he still stayed on well over the last to do on and win well.

Neptune Equester is only seven, he is a progressive chaser, this was just his third run for Brian Ellison, and he is the type of horse with whom the handicapper can struggle to get to grips, he only just seems to do enough. Winner of his two previous chases over an extended three miles, both at Wetherby, he showed plenty of pace here over two and a half miles, and he can improve again stepped back up in trip. The handicapper gave him an 8lb hike for this, but he should be progressive enough to better his new mark of 128. He probably wouldn't want the ground to be too soft, and the Eider Chase is apparently his long-term objective this season, but it should still pay to follow him in some of the good staying handicap chases this season.

29th October 2010

© The Irish Field, 6th November 2010

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