'His smashing jumping played a huge part' - Unanswered Prayers gets up late to land Southern National

Unanswered Prayers: won over the longest trip he's ever faced

Unanswered Prayers: won over the longest trip he's facedCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Unanswered Prayers produced a power-packed finish to reel in the longtime leader and land the Southern National for trainer Chris Gordon.

Unproven over the marathon 3m3½f distance, the eight-year-old didn't look likely to get to the free-going Feivel with two fences to jump but stayed on strongly to overhaul that rival after the last and score by a length and three-quarters under Chris's son Freddie.

"I'm really pleased he got that trip, and he got it very well, and Freddie had to keep taking a pull because he kept jumping himself up there," the winning trainer said.

"It was very tough closing that gap up, I thought the horse in front had nicked it, but he ground it out well and did it nicely in the end – his smashing jumping was a huge part of it.

"That was a big drop down in class for him, it's the lowest grade he's been in for a while, and Fred was taking his 5lb off, but I was just really pleased with the way he did it. He looked a good old thorough stayer and that opens up more doors, which is fantastic."

Chris Gordon completed a double when Getoverthathill took the closing 2m5½f novice handicap hurdle under Rex Dingle.

Bowen at the double

Jockey James Bowen continued his good run of form when riding two winners at the Sussex venue. He steered the Nicky Henderson-trained Kado De Joie to victory in the 2m1½f handicap hurdle before completing the double when Quantock Hills took the 2m1½f juvenile hurdle for Warren Greatrex.

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