Mr Pointment Needs Relief From Handicapper

A change of tactics for Mr Pointment were apparent from the off in the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase as the 2007 winner was dropped out in the early stages by jockey Sam Thomas. The partnership made significant progress as the race developed taking the shortest route at the Canal Turn before Mr Pointment’s stamina ran out and the horse almost pulled up inside the final furlong but then got going again when joined by other horses and ran on to regain second. For him to have a fighting chance at the National he will need some relief from the handicapper.

Thomas said: "He was giving a lot of weight away today and I’m happy with him." Champion trainer Paul Nicholls revealed that riding plans had been changed and remarked: "That’s the way to ride him, take your time on him. With decent ground he’d be alright. "He just takes a bit of warming and we can ride him like that in the National. "If he was dropped in the handicap, it would give him half a chance in the National. "That ground doesn’t suit him, I knew he’d run out of petrol. It’s very deep out there now.

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