Ascot Results: Al and Annie shine on return

Timeform
24 November 2013

Al Ferof and Annie Power won at Ascot

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Al Ferof and Annie Power put up winning performances on their seasonal reappearances at Ascot, with the former taking the Grade 2 Amlin Chase and the latter the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle...

"We always knew Al Ferof would come on for a run, that's why Paul was keen to run before the King George. He jumped great, he was just pricking his ears at the crowd at the last two and reached a bit..."

Three were declared for the Amlin Chase but last year's winner Captain Chris was pulled out in the morning after being found to be lame, so just the two went to post. Daryl Jacob set out to make all on Al Ferof and his mount put in some exuberant leaps on the way round, and none bigger than at the final fence where he stood right off but got to the other side without much alarm.

Jacob said: "We always knew he would come on for a run, that's why Paul was keen to run before the King George. He jumped great, he was just pricking his ears at the crowd at the last two and reached a bit."

"It was the perfect start for him. The King George is a massive race and we wanted to have a good blow, we didn't want it to turn into a Mickey Mouse race."

Owner John Hales said: "I feel sorry for the sponsors that there were only two runners, but the horse did everything we could expect him to do given it was a two-horse race - he did everything we wanted as a prep for the King George."

In the very next race Annie Power was made to work hard to maintain her unbeaten record in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot.

Held up in the early stages, slightly sketchy jumping prevented Ruby Walsh's mount from hitting the front before the last and Zarkandar, who was giving 11 lb to the Irish raider, battled gamely to the end. Annie Power always looked like she was getting on top, though, and powered away to win by five lengths.

Jockey Ruby Walsh said: "It's always hard for a horse coming out of novice company to step in against the likes of Zarkandar and the experience that he has."

"But she matched him over the last two and when I got stuck into her she rallied all the way to the line. She was coming to England for the first time and she'll improve for the run, she's had a race and she's knuckled down. She'll improve plenty and it's nice to come and win."

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