Totepool Towton Novices’ Chase
Grade 2 Handicap, Wetherby 15:20 £30,500 added, 5yo plus, 3m 1f, Class 1
Saturday 31st January 2015

1 Ned Stark 11/4
2 Kaki De La Pree 9/4F
3 Straidnahanna 11/2
NR: George Fernbeck, Gonow
7 ran Distances: nk, 17l, 14l
TIME 6m 33.00s (slow by 42.00s)

Another winner for Alan King with Ned Stark winning nicely under Denis O'Regan

The seven-year-old was successful on his first two starts over fences in novice handicaps at Huntingdon and Newbury, but failed to get competitive when fourth behind the exciting Ptit Zig in the 'Dipper' at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

An 11-4 chance for another Grade Two event in West Yorkshire, Ned Stark was being pushed along leaving the back straight, but responded to Denis O'Regan's urgings to chase down the bold-jumping pacesetter Straidnahanna.

As the latter began to falter, 9-4 favourite Kaki De La Pree emerged as the main threat to King's charge, but he was unable to get past as Ned Stark clung on by a neck.

The seven-year-old holds an entry in the RSA Chase at Prestbury Park in March, but connections could also consider handicap options, depending on the assessor's verdict.

King was at Sandown, from where he said: "I thought we were in a bit of trouble leaving the back, but he's seen it out really well and I'm delighted with him. It's great to win a Towton again.

"I haven't spoken to any of the guys on track yet, so we'll get him home and see how he is and then make a plan.

"We'll see what the handicapper does. I don't think he can hammer him as he didn't win by far and I think they were all much of a muchness.

"The three-mile handicap (at Cheltenham) might be a possible, but we'll see.

"It's just nice to get this out of the way."

O'Regan believes it could be next season before Ned Stark realises his full potential.

"He's a really nice young horse, he's progressing well," said the jockey.

"I think the experience of Cheltenham last time stood him well today, especially in the heat of the battle.

"I went looking for the better ground and he's a horse that needs a bit of time."

Totepool Towton Novices' Chase (Grade 2)
£30,500 added, 5yo plus, 3m 1f, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Soft, Heavy in places

	Dist	Horse	Jockey /Weight	Trainer	Age
1st		Ned Stark (IRE) 11/4	D F O'Regan 11-4	A King	7
2nd	nk	Kaki De La Pree (FR) 9/4f	Felix De Giles 11-0	T Symonds	8
3rd	17	Straidnahanna (IRE) 11/2	Danny Cook 11-4	Mrs S J Smith	6
4th	14	Top Totti 15/2	Jake Greenall 10-7	H D Daly	7
5th	3½	Return Spring (IRE) 8/1	James Best 11-4	P J Hobbs	8
6th	nk	Rattlin 20/1	Callum Bewley 10-7	Mrs S J Smith	7
PU		Tonvadosa 8/1	J M Maguire 10-11	D McCain Jnr	7
NR		George Fernbeck	K Renwick 11-0	B Ellison	7
NR		Gonow	Henry Brooke 11-0	Micky Hammond	7