'Sometimes you've just got to keep going and hope' - 999-1 in-running stunner

Sunday: Fontwell

Not At Present claimed a hat-trick in dramatic fashion as he snatched victory from what appeared a near-impossible position at Fontwell under a masterclass ride from Niall Houlihan.

The six-year-old traded at the maximum 999-1 on the exchanges as he trailed a distant fourth some ten lengths behind the leaders on the turn for home in the 3m2f handicap hurdle.

Sent off at 9-2, success seemed unlikely for the Ben Pauling-trained runner but he rallied in astonishing fashion under Houlihan before the final flight to score by three-quarters of a length from Khan.

12.32 Fontwell: full result and replay

"I knew I wouldn't be able to quicken on the ground but that I'd stay really well," Houlihan told Sky Sports Racing. "As soon as they stopped he just kept galloping. It's purely down to his attitude.

"I was just trying to use his stamina and keep him close, so that I could challenge at some stage. Sometimes you've just got to keep going and hope."

How the race unfolded

Not At Present (fourth, red cap) out of touch with the leaders rounding the home bend

The six-year-old continues to chase the leaders into the home straight

Not At Present still trails in fourth over the final flight as the leaders battle

The eventual winner begins to rally down the centre of the track

Not At Present surges past the tiring leaders in the dying strides of the race

Niall Houlihan claims the victory by three quarters of a length

The win continued a sensational run of form for Not At Present this season, having now landed four wins and two seconds from six starts since cheekpieces were fitted in August.

Treble denied

A treble seemed to be on the cards for Jamie Moore only to be lost in the dying strides of the 3m2f handicap chase with Nessfield Blue.

Victory looked secured for the 9-4 favourite for trainer Pat Murphy, as Nessfield Blue led before grinding to a walk in the closing 110 yards of the race to hand victory to the Laura Morgan-trained Percussion.

A double on the day was sure to be consolation for Moore thanks to success with Hecouldbetheone and Yorksea for father Gary, who did manage to complete a treble on the card thanks to Legal Rights' victory in the last.

Results, replays and analysis

Read more:

Sir Gerhard cut to 4-1 for Supreme after superb hurdling debut

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