Lil Rockerfeller on course for National Spirit defence at Fontwell

Lil Rockerfeller will bid to become the first horse since Lough Derg to win back-to-back runnings of the Totepool National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday.The popular Lough Derg struck gold in 2008 and 2009 for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore.Lil Rockerfeller was a dominant winner of the Grade Two contest last season and while he has failed to add to his tally since, he has been keeping esteemed company.Neil King's stable star kicked off his season by finishing third in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby before finishing second behind Yanworth in the Coral Hurdle and Unowhatimeanharry in the Long Walk at Ascot.He was a little disappointing in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but connections are hopeful he can bounce back this weekend.Owner Andy Smith of Festival Racing said: " We're delighted to be taking Lil Rockerfeller back to Fontwell Park for the National Spirit Hurdle, with Trevor Whelan taking the ride. "The prize money is fantastic and our whole season has been focused around coming back to Fontwell before going on to the Stayers Hurdle' at Cheltenham. " Lil Rockerfeller did a fantastic piece of work on Saturday morning, which Neil was delighted with, so we're confident he's over his last run and we go to Fontwell with high hopes. "I wasn't able to make it to Fontwell for last year's race, but I'm very much looking forward to going down with the rest of the owners."I have fond memories of the racecourse, having had my first winner there, Pastoral Pride in a hunter chase in 1991."I also backed my first ever 100-1 winner there, so it's definitely been a lucky track for me. Hopefully the run continues on Sunday".