Glenquest© Photo Healy Racing
Glenquest third in the Welsh National over Christmas, hit the mark at Down Royal this afternoon when switching back to timber in the Bet With The Tote Handicap Hurdle.
Stuart Crawford 's charge led from the fifth hurdle in the two-and-a-half mile contest and was sent for home after the second last.
The 4/1 shot was clear, under Andrew Lynch, before the final flight and could afford to ease down on the run-in to record a commanding five-length victory. Spacious Sky was sent off the even-money favourite but came under pressure after the third last. He did work his way into second before the last but had no chance with the winner and eventually lost the runner-up spot close home to 40/1 shot Seriatim
Glenquest had also scored on his last outing over hurdles at Navan in November and a return to chasing for the Eider Chase is next on the cards.
Crawford suffered a broken leg at home last week and said from his Larne base:
"The original plan was to run last week over hurdles and then go to Haydock on Saturday coming [for the Betfred Grand National Trial].
"We'll leave that alone and aim him at the Eider Chase in Newcastle if he's okay.
"The weights for the Aintree Grand National come out tomorrow but I don't think he'll get in. I still have the Scottish National as his long-term target."
Lynch added: "He was the class horse in the race. All he had to do was replicate his run in Chepstow. He did it well."
(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)
