The Major finished second. Very galling as he should have won easily, but the jockey rode a stinker. Instead of allowing him to bowl along in front and make use of his stamina - and so running the others ragged - he held him up in the pack which meant that not only was he unsighted at his hurdles, and forced to jump very novicey, but he was reduced to sprinting into the lead at the end and was beaten a short head. If Andrew Tinkler had ridden him more positively, he would not only have jumped better, and had a more enjoyable time, he would have won.

A real shame as he ought now to have won two in a row. The upshot is that he is qualified for his target this season, the EBF handicap at Sandown on 11th March, and he will hopefully start at a decent price next time, when everyone should lump on him. He will be ridden a lot more positively then.

Disappointing.

Still, at least Spurs won.