Spensley lands his hat-trick

He had already scored over a mile and a half in September and October and the four-year-old continued his upward curve with a comfy success in the Office Christmas Parties At Kempton Park Handicap.

His last two wins had come off the back of far from clear passages but Kieren Fallon was happy to settle the James Fanshawe-trained gelding in mid-division.

Stepped up in class, there was no trouble in running this time, although there was a slight moment of worry for favourite backers as Alsadaa and Ian Mongan made the most of an easy lead.

The pair still held a clear advantage three out but when Fallon asked Spensley the response was immediate and he was able to ease his mount at the line for a half-length verdict over Iron Condor.

"Unfortunately there are no more races for him at Kempton this year which is a pity," said Fanshawe.

"The key to him is not running him on soft ground and getting the trip right. Kieren gets on with him really well.

"He's grown up an awful lot from the sweaty horse that had no confidence in the summer to the one that's really got the hang of things now.

"I'm going to have a think and see where we go with him."

Towering Storm (20-1) overcame a slow start to make a winning debut in impressive style in division two of the Win A Kia Venga At kempton.co.uk Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

A steady gallop allowed jockey Steve Donohoe to make up the lost ground without taking too much out of the Gerard Butler-trained youngster.

However, he still had plenty to do in the straight as If You Whisper made his bid on the far side to hit the front a furlong out.

Towering Storm hit full stride to pounce 50 yards out and score by three-quarters of a length.

"He's been going well at home, but I thought with the Richard Hannon horse (Sinfonico) and the William Haggas horse (Groomed) he might have to play third fiddle to those today. He had other ideas," said Butler.

"I thought the lack of experience would be his undoing. No complaints and the horses are running very well at the moment

"We'll leave him alone for a time. We'll see what the handicapper does and take the direction from there."

Donohoe completed a 90-1 double when steering home Final Drive (100-30) to victory in the digibet.com Handicap.

He steered the John Ryan-trained top-weight through the field to lead inside the final furlong and score comfortably by two and a quarter lengths from Hip Hip Hooray.

Cheery Cat followed up a Wolverhampton win to score for a second time this month in the hands of 7lb claimer Matthew Cosham.

The 2-1 favourite, trained by John Balding, got the better of the pace-setting River Bounty by a length.

"He did it nicely and has probably found himself. Matthew gave him a cracking ride. He does as he's told and I'll put him on him again," said Balding.

"He's had a couple of quick runs and normally he takes a fortnight between runs. We'll see how he comes out of it in the next couple of days."

Echo Ridge (7-2) got up in the last few strides to deny Fairy Familiar in the EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

The Ralph Beckett-trained newcomer was only fifth turning for home but ate up the ground under Jim Crowley to lead close home and score by three-quarters of a length. The favourite Palais Glide was two lengths back in third.

Jo Crowley's Amerthyst (8-1) came with a late rattle for Dane O'Neill to short head Top Diktat in division one of the Win A Kia Venga At kempton.co.uk Median Auction Maiden Stakes.Justify Full

Source: http://www.skysports.com

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