Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle
 QuinnBet
Grade 3, Haydock Park 14:20
£125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus,
3m 58y, Class 1  
Saturday 25th November 2023

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1 Slate Lane 11/4F
2 Fine Margin 22/1
3 Crambo 5/1
15 ran NR: Carbon King Distances: 1½l, 1l, 2l
Time: 5m 59.80s (slow by 2.80s)

Emmet Mullins once again demonstrated his strategic prowess as Slate Lane claimed an emphatic victory. Owned by Paul Byrnes, a key figure in Mullins' string of successful horses, Slate Lane secured his fourth consecutive win.

Under the guidance of Donagh Meyler, who maintained a composed presence on the 11-4 favorite, the duo overcame a messy jump at the last obstacle to secure a stylish triumph.

Adding to the gratification for the trainer, Fine Margin, trained by his uncle and champion trainer, Willie Mullins, finished second, a length and a half behind. Despite the success, post-race concern arose as Slate Lane returned with a noticeable cut on his leg.

Mullins said: “He’s won four in a row now so it’s great, it’s all come together.

“To be honest since he crossed the line at Cartmel in a maiden hurdle this was the plan and it was about getting him here on a reasonable mark and it’s come off.

“Everything went well. I thought there might not be much pace so I said to Donagh to line up wide and see how it unfolds and he was wise to it, he did the right thing letting him off.

“He’s very straightforward and as long as he keeps winning we’re happy enough.”

Byrne added: “It’s unbelievable, I’m delighted. He’s a great horse to win four in a row.

“Donagh was brilliant on him, he’s a cracking rider and I can’t understand why he doesn’t get more opportunities at home. He’s been very lucky for us.

“This was the plan. When you have a three-miler this was the one you are aiming for because there’s nothing else worth this much, it’s not like with a two-miler.

“I don’t think we’ll qualify for the Pertemps, but he is still a novice, whether he’s that good I don’t know.

“The cut is a little bit worrying, Emmet has followed the horse down and he doesn’t normally do that. It’s a bit concerning, Emmet didn’t like it.”

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Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle
£125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 3m 58y, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Slate Lane 5 10-12 Emmet Mullins Donagh Meyler 11/4F
2 1½ Fine Margin 6 10-9 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 22/1
3 1 Crambo 6 11-10 Fergal O'Brien Connor Brace 5/1
4 2 Gowel Road 7 11-11 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 14/1
5 2¼ Bold Endeavour 7 12-0 Nicky Henderson James Bowen 11/1
6 1¼ Lord Snootie 6 10-8 Christian Williams Jack Tudor 11/1
7 ½ Santos Blue 6 11-0 Dan Skelton Mr Ben Sutton 11/1
8 2½ Howlingmadmurdock 6 11-11 Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard 14/1
9 ¾ Schalke 8 10-8 Rebecca Menzies Ross Chapman 50/1
10 12 Dubrovnik Harry 7 10-10 Harry Fry Bryan Carver 15/2
11 9 Pyramid Place 6 10-13 Syd Hosie Harry Reed 50/1
12 2¾ Sholokjack 7 11-1 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 33/1
FELL Wakool 7 11-11 N W Alexander Danny McMenamin 25/1
PU Emitom 9 10-12 Alan King Tom Cannon 8/1
UR Goshhowposh 6 10-6 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Micheal Nolan 12/1
NR 11 Carbon King 6 10-11 Evan Williams NON RUNNER

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