'He gets the very best out of them' - Quinlan rescues victory on Oscars Leader

Saturday: Newcastle

Less than 24 hours after winning Jump Ride of the Year at the Lesters Awards, Sean Quinlan gave another exhibition in never-say-die riding as he lifted Oscars Leader home in the 2m½f novice handicap chase.

The pair looked safely held approaching the second-last, but Quinlan kept driving away on the Jennie Candlish-trained nine-year-old and galvanised him past Ar Mest in the dying strides.

Quinlan said: "He's a thorough stayer, he probably stays two and a half miles, but he wasn't doing a lot in front so when Ar Mest came past he gave me something to chase.

"He's done all his best work from the last – I knew he'd stay and that's why I kept pushing. It's not over until the line is there."

Candlish's assistant trainer Alan O'Keeffe said: "Sean is one of the very best in the north of England – whether it's front-running or horses staying, he gets the very best out of them."

The Candlish camp will now look for softer ground for Oscars Leader, with O'Keeffe adding: "The handicapper can't be too harsh on Oscars Leader for today and we'd hope he'll be competitive again on slower ground."

Barrichello set for Kelso

The Morebattle Hurdle on March 5 is on the cards for Barrichello after he justified 1-6 favouritism by quickening up effortlessly to win the opening novice hurdle.

Barrichello leaves his rivals floundering in the openerCredit: John Grossick

The Donald McCain-trained runner is a 14-1 shot for the Kelso feature having beaten Coral Cup favourite Good Risk At All at Warwick last month.

Winning rider Peter Kavanagh brought up a double for himself and McCain with a canny front-running ride on Since Day One in the 2m handicap hurdle.

Results, replays and analysis

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