The remarkable rags-to-riches story of NEW PERK continued apace as he notched his fifth consecutive course success - his first victory coming in November on his 27th start. He has certainly thrived since then as his latest chasing success was off a 10lb higher mark than his first win. He had been up with the pace early but when the eventual runner-up sailed into the lead before four out it looked highly unlikely that the sequence would be maintained.

However, when asked to dig deep he found the required reserves to collar the leader on the run-in. He will almost certainly be back here, either over fences or hurdles, at the Easter meeting before a possible trip to Cheltenham, and his enthusiasm around this unique circuit will always hold him in goodstead.

The remainder didn't really get into it after being closely grouped until the final circuit. Eau Pure just plugged on in his own time and Caribbean Cove and Parish Oak, who had fought out a tight finish in easy ground at Leicester, didn't appear to be happy with the course or the faster ground.

You Owe Me had reportedly been struck into.

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