'His horses have turned a corner' - Sporting Ace toughs it out to land Surrey National for back-to-form Neil King

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Sporting Ace had to battle bravely in testing conditions to narrowly land the Surrey National following a back-and-forth duel with Passing Well. 

The nine-year-old was sent off at 6-1 after two defeats and scored by a head after the front pair pulled 20 lengths clear of Hudson De Grugy. 

His trainer Neil King has had a challenging season but the yard has bounced back to form, scoring with each of its last three runners.

"He's always been a consistent horse but disappointed on his last couple of runs," said jockey Jack Quinlan. "He's been treated for ulcers at home since then and Neil was full of confidence when we spoke on the phone that these were his ideal conditions and that he'd go close. 

"He's only got one gear so it was fine if I positioned him in front or sat in third. He had to be brave. I was easing off him turning for home and it's a long way to the line on heavy ground but he battled from the back of the last and wanted it as much as I did, which makes the job a lot easier."

Sporting Ace was King's fifth winner of the season, and Quinlan added: "Neil's horses have turned a corner in the last few weeks and he's had a few winners. As a jockey when things aren't going right it's not easy but they've filled me with confidence and we all work together as a team."

Big target 

Pierrot Jaguen could be aimed at the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree after justifying odds-on favouritism in the 2m7f maiden hurdle.

Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen were on course to watch the six-year-old, who scored on his second start when stretching clear of Better Off Alone.

Pierrot Jaguen, trained by Olly Murphy, was sent off the 2-9 favourite under Sean Bowen after finishing third at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. 

"He's a big, lovely horse, and probably one for next year more than this year," said Murphy. "Robert was just saying we could have a look at Cheltenham or Aintree but I'd be leaning towards taking the chance of it coming up soft at Aintree and running in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle. 

"He's got a bit of class and was very raw at Cheltenham. He travelled like the winner but got tapped for toe, he might have won with another 100 yards. He's a lovely three-mile chaser for next year and Sean says he has a fantastic mind, which is a good quality with big festivals in mind."

Olly Murphy: has high hopes for maiden hurdle winner Pierrot JaguenCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Murphy and Bowen doubled up when Eaton Anne followed up her recent Uttoxeter success in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle. 

After scoring from an almost impossible position last time, Eaton Anne ran out a comfortable winner from Godot.

Disco time

The other maiden hurdle was won by Disco Davis, who scored by eight lengths from the Murphy-trained Drayton Flyer for Dan and Harry Skelton. 

After falling on his first two starts over hurdles, he finished fifth at Exeter in December and built on that performance when justifying favouritism. 

"He's taken his time to get his act together over hurdles this season," said assistant trainer Tom Messenger. 

"He ran really well last time and it's nice to see him get a clear round and get his head in front. We'll keep him going and try to build on that, and hopefully he can win a couple."

Read more:

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