Lord Lariat strikes for McLoughlin & O'Hanlon

Many would have held the view that heavy ground would hinder Lord Lariat (12/1) in the Tote Jackpot Is Back Handicap Chase but the progressive six-year-old handled conditions very well to score by seven lengths.

Paddy O’Hanlon let his mount stride on in front and got some good leaps out of him on the way around. When his closest pursuer Wingin A Prayer departed two out it left the winner with a handy advantage and he saw his race out well with Ragnar Lodbrok (10/3) taking second in the end.

It was Lord Lariat’s fifth career success and his second since joining winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin earlier in the year.

“He surprised me as I was a bit anxious carrying topweight on that ground," said McLoughlin.

“He’s won on proper good ground. It’s probably looser than we thought and he kept galloping. He’s improving and maybe he’s a bit stronger now to handle that ground.”

Quotes from Alan Magee