Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle
 QuinnBet
Grade 3, Haydock Park 14:30
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus,
3m 58y, Class 1  
Saturday 23rd November 2024

%ALT_TXT%%

1 Shoot First 22/1
2 One Big Bang 11/4F
3 Phantomofthepoints 22/1
15 ran NR: Doyen Quest Distances: 2¾l, 1¾l, 21l
Time: 6m 36.10s (slow by 39.10s)

Shoot First battled through the Haydock mud to ensure the race headed to Ireland for the second consecutive year. While the Emmet Mullins-trained Slate Lane delighted favourite backers in the £100,000 contest last year, Shoot First, trained by Charles Byrnes, defied a market drift to triumph. Initially a single-figure price overnight, he went off at 22-1 with 5lb claimer Alex Harvey in the saddle.

In challenging conditions, Harvey took his time during the early stages of the extended three-mile race, gradually moving Shoot First into contention at the top of the straight. He seized the lead from Phantomofthepoints at the third-last flight, with the 11-4 favourite One Big Bang emerging as the main threat. Despite the challenge, the market leader couldn't get past Shoot First, who held on tenaciously to win by two and three-quarter lengths.

Shoot First had finished fifth in his most recent outing at Galway last month after a two-year hiatus. The improvement was evident, much to the delight of his young rider. "He ran great in Galway after a two-year break. He jumped and travelled well today, but he's still a big raw baby and pricked his ears when he hit the front. I think stepping up in grade will make him even better. He’s an exciting horse and will jump a fence in the future," said the 21-year-old.

"It was a proper test, his first time on soft ground, and he relished it. Charles is very good at placing his horses, and we could see him in March at Cheltenham, given he won there two years ago. I've had a couple of winners in Kelso for John McConnell, where I’m based six days a week, so I make the odd trip over. It's great when it all works out like today. This is the biggest winner of my career so far, and I’m delighted."

BetGoodwin

Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 3m 58y, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Shoot First 8 11-10 C Byrnes Alex Harvey 22/1
2 2¾ One Big Bang 6 10-9 James Owen Calum Hogan 11/4F
3 1¾ Phantomofthepoints 6 10-9 David Pipe Jack Tudor 22/1
4 21 Castle Rushen 9 10-10 Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan 33/1
5 shd Backmersackme 5 10-10 Emmet Mullins Donagh Meyler 14/1
FELL Gwennie May Boy 6 11-8 Dan Skelton Charlie Todd 11/1
PU Twig 9 12-0 Ben Pauling Beau Morgan 22/1
PU The Imposter 7 10-10 Nigel Hawke Tom Buckley 40/1
PU Jody Ted 8 11-1 Eoin Griffin Mark McDonagh 33/1
PU Zain Nights 5 11-1 Lucy Wadham Tom Cannon 14/1
PU Ottizzini 7 11-0 S R B Crawford Brian Hayes 28/1
PU Kerryhill 6 11-8 Ruth Jefferson Brian Hughes 17/2
PU Push The Button 5 11-3 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 17/2
PU Catch Him Derry 6 10-9 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 9/2
UR Patriotik 5 10-5 Evan Williams Isabel Williams 7/1
NR 8 Doyen Quest 6 11-1 5ex Dan Skelton NON RUNNER

Odds catcher