Pencil picks up to open hurdling account in style Pencilfulloflead quickened away in good style on the run-in to open his hurdling account in the Leinster Leader Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding had bumped into the impressive Asterion Forlonge on his debut over timber at Naas early last month. Sent to post a 4/6 shot today he tracked the leaders early in the two-mile-six contest before Robbie Power took close order on his mount over the fifth last. The Shantou gelding had a narrow lead at the penultimate flight and kicked for home turning in. Having run around a touch approaching the final flight he was a bit untidy at it but picked up when asked on the run-in to stretch clear for a 12-length win. Elliott was recording a double, following the earlier win of Run Wild Fred and he said:- “He’s a proper big staying chaser is what he is and what he was bought to be. Robert said he’s just a bit mentally immature the way he jumps. He could be better over a fence.    “It’s nice that he got his head in front. He's our first horse for Brian (Acheson).    “He’s a big baby. He’ll stay at home and we’ll keep him for something small and see how we go.”  (Quotes by Alan Magee)
