Seaston shows spirit to land Sussex National for Sherwood and Coleman

Seaston Spirit continued on his upward curve when toughing it out to land the Sussex National for Oliver Sherwood and Aidan Coleman.

The eight-year-old, a winner over hurdles at Ffos Las in November who has won five of his last six starts, finished two lengths clear of 4-1 favourite Special Acceptance, with Benevolentdictator in third.

"That was Aidan Coleman at his finest," said one onlooker in the parade ring after watching the experienced jockey coax Seaston Spirit into contention before driving him to the front from two out.

"He was very tough as I had to niggle him along for the first mile and a half but when he got his chance he was bang there," said Coleman. "He saw it out well and it's great to bring up his hat-trick.

"He's gone up in the handicap. When I rode him at Taunton in March I had to do around ten stone and miss a few meals, so it was nice to have a bit more weight today. He could be aimed at a race like the Midlands National and he would deserve to take his chance."

Big-race target

All roads lead to Sandown for Annual Invictus after his emphatic victory in the EBF novice hurdle qualifier for trainer Chris Gordon.

The six-year-old, who has not finished outside the first two in four starts this season, defied a 10lb penalty to finish six and a half lengths clear of Dorking Lad and will be put away until March 13.

"It was a great win," said Gordon. "The EBF Final is a brilliant race to aim for in March and we'll probably save him for that. My horses have been a bit under the weather, so they'll have an easy January.

"He should relish going over fences next season and he's shown he's fairly versatile in terms of trip. He's one for us to look forward to."

Moore at the double

Gary Moore rarely leaves Plumpton empty handed and saddled a double with Twenty Twenty and High Up In The Air.

Twenty Twenty sprang a 40-1 surprise in the 2m3½f novice chase, beating Foxboro and his better-fancied stablemate Ar Mest, before High Up In The Air jumped well to land the 2m3½f handicap chase.

"Twenty Twenty has always schooled like a chaser," said Moore. "This was his first start over fences but he jumped and stayed really well.

"High Up In The Air's jumping won him the race. He's a bonny, genuine little horse, who goes well on soft ground and provided the handicapper doesn't put him up too much, he should win again."

Results, replays and analysis

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