racing_news/

According To Pete Prevails in Peter Marsh Slog
21/01/12

1 According To Pete 9/1
2 Pearlysteps 6/1
3 Consigliere 10/1
11 ran Distances: 3½l, ¾l, 23l
TIME 6m 24.40s (slow by 33.40s)

According To Pete could be bound for the John Smith's Grand National after grinding out victory in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.

According To Pete
© Grossick Racing Photography

Following up his success in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day, Malcolm Jefferson's 11-year-old (9-1) continues to be in the form of his life.

The Sawyer attempted to make all but dropped away with a mile to run, where 3lb claimer Harry Haynes sent According To Pete into the lead. Pearlysteps and Consigliere were the only other two in with a chance as the conditions took their toll, but According To Pete went on to score by three and a half lengths.

Haynes said: "He jumped brilliantly and never put a foot wrong. He's finished very tired - he walked home after the last - but he had enough in him to keep going."

Jefferson added: "I'll give him an entry in the Grand National, but I don't know if I'll bring him back here next month (for the Grand National Trial). He had a hard-enough race here and I want him fresh and well. If he does have one more run before Aintree it might be in an easier race.

"He was in great heart before he went to Wetherby and he's been fantastic ever since. He's always been a great horse for us. I'm sure he'll have the heart for Aintree."

Nicky Henderson's Giorgio Quercus (7-2) battled on bravely to land the concluding Betfair Graduation Chase under Andrew Tinkler.

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	According To Pete J M Jefferson	Harry Haynes 11st 5lbs	9 - 1 Winner
2	Pearlysteps H D Daly	A Tinkler 11st 3lbs	6 - 1 3 1/2 lengths
3	Consigliere D Pipe	T Scudamore 11st 8lbs	10 - 1 3/4 length
4	The Sawyer R H Buckler	Nathan Sweeney 10st 8lbs	7 - 1 23 lengths
5	Take The Breeze P F Nicholls	Harry Derham 11st 5lbs	7 - 1 1 length
6	Oscar Gogo Evan Williams	Adam Wedge 11st 0lbs	14 - 1 16 lengths
PulledUp	Crescent Island N A Twiston-Davies	J M Maguire 11st 10lbs	25 - 1
PulledUp	Mon Mome Miss V Williams	Aidan Coleman 11st 8lbs	8 - 1
PulledUp	Mount Oscar C L Tizzard	P J Brennan 11st 8lbs	20 - 1
Fell	Bold Ransom K G Reveley	G Lee 10st 4lbs	4 - 1
Fell	King Fontaine J M Jefferson	D C Costello 10st 4lbs	8 - 1