Mendo stamina earns Ascot spoils

Mendo made his followers sweat for their money in the Camra Colin Lanham Memorial “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot.

Backed as if defeat was out of the question, Noel Chance’s 8-13 favourite had three lengths to bridge with Modicum approaching the final flight.

But Chance was convinced stamina would prove the key factor and so it proved as Tom Doyle forced his mount in front 75 yards from home to score by half a length.

Chance said: “It was perfect jumping ground and Tom said the horse has never jumped as well.

“The time schedule fitted in nicely as well. Now it will either be a two-and-a-half-mile novice at Liverpool or a race at Punchestown.

“I knew he would stay as he really wants two and a half miles.”