HAYDOCK SATURDAY

JOCKEY Tom O’Brien was particularly unlucky at Haydock on Saturday.

Brought down on Wolf Of Windlesham in the opener, he was unable to ride Silver Steak in the valuable Grade 3 Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle and watched as the five-year-old and replacement Adam Wedge caught Chesterfield in the dying strides.

In fairness Wedge, who regularly rides for winning trainer Evan Williams, would only have missed out because O’Brien won on the horse at Musselburgh when his colleague was banned; owner Les Fell is a loyal man. Wedge recently won the Scottish Grand National for Rebecca Curtis.

He may have thought he was booked for second here when Chesterfield, so consistent in good handicaps of late, took control as Paul Nicholls’ Act Of Valour came down at the last. But Chesterfield’s stride shortened close home and Silver Streak relentlessly wore him down to score by three-quarters of a length.

Williams has a fantastic record in the race, winning it four times in the last six years. “There are bad habits and good habits and this is a good habit!” he smiled.

Amateur rider Page Fuller is making a name for herself and had the confidence to make all over two miles, seven furlongs on 11/1 chance Monbeg Theatre in the opening Long Distance Handicap Hurdle.

Riding for her boss Jamie Snowden, she brought the nine-year-old home just over a length ahead of Jester Jet to follow up last month’s triumph at Cheltenham.

On a mixed card, Richard Hannon’s Tabarrak, 100/30, left behind a disappointing effort on the soft at Doncaster to repel Mubtasim in the Listed Pertemps Network Spring Trophy over seven furlongs.

TOUGH

The very tough Intisaab came from behind to wear down Mythmaker and Dancing Star in the conditions stakes over six and David O’Meara may go for the Wokingham with him. Andrew Balding’s former Stewards’ Cup winner Dancing Star was returning from a long absence and is no back-number on this evidence.