'Jekyll and Hyde' Al Roc keeps going for Armson despite Pipe in-running doubts

Sunday: Market Rasen

Philip Armson produced arguably the ride of the day when winning on Al Roc in the 2m5½f handicap chase, although he might not have had much choice in how he approached things on the wily veteran.

The 11-year-old took a keen hold and built up a huge advantage with a circuit to go, but his exuberance may have led some to doubt whether he would last. However he did, winning by seven lengths.

"The horse is a bit Jekyll and Hyde," said David Pipe, who trains Al Roc for Judith Wilson.

"There was a possibility the blinkers might light him up too much, but Philip sat and suffered and gave him a great ride, just saving enough in reserve.

"There were moments I thought he might not make it home, but, in fairness to the horse, he kept going well and I think his jumping won it for him."

Conditional rider Armson is a firm part of Pipe's Pond House operation and the trainer went on: "Philip has been with us for over a year now and gets on well with Judith Wilson's horses. He's had lots of opportunities and has taken them. When you ride winners, you grow in confidence and he's doing well.

"Tony McCoy would always say you can work on everything and he's got to keep working because he's claiming 5lb now and then he'll go down to 3lb and then be a professional, so he's got to keep working at everything, but that's the same for us all, including me as a trainer."

Results, replays and analysis

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