Fenna's finishes fine second against smart Elliott hot pot

Fenna’s Loss lost his perfect Ursa record - but only just in a funny old race against a Gordon Elliott good thing.

If anything, he further enhanced his reputation in defeat.

In a race where none of the three horses wanted to kick on, Sean Quinlan decided to take the bull by the horns and make the running.

The lack of pace and quality of Elliott’s Ted Hastings saw us finish second - absolutely no disgrace behind a horse who will be having all the main Spring festivals next year on his agenda.

A return to 2m4f or a stronger pace should see Fenna’s back in the winners’ enclosure before long.

Sean said: “We will learn a lot from that. He wasn’t perfect and I knew if I kept standing there at the start that Sean (Bowen) would beat me for speed anyway.

“I had to grab the bull by the horns even though I didn’t want to. The further he went the better he jumped. He’s a two and a half miler and I was surprised how well he picked up when the other horse cane to him.

“I didn’t want to make it but I know Sean’s horse had more boot so I had to make it and go on and do the work myself.

“A 2m5f handicap yes, but this lad is a 3m chaser in the making. You won’t see the best of him until he is staying. He has learned a lot from that today.

“He had to run somewhere and I would go for a 2m4f novice next.”