Review of the action from Haydock on Saturday


A review of the rest of the action from Saturday's meeting at Haydock where Castafiore sprang a 28/1 surprise.

Longsdon mare springs surprise

Castafiore caused a 28-1 upset in the Patrick Coyne Memorial Altcar Novices' Chase at Haydock.

The Charlie Longsdon-trained mare looked to have a mountain to climb on official ratings, and was the rank outsider of five runners as a result.

However, the six-year-old was ridden on the pace throughout by Paul O'Brien and refused to bend in the home straight, taking command on the approach to the final fence and pulling five lengths clear of 6-4 favourite Jerrysback on the run-in.

Longsdon said: "She's got a Darley pedigree and ran on the Flat in France for Godolphin - I don't think anyone would have expected her to be running round here over fences on soft ground!

"She's very tough and loves her jumping, so we hoped fences would be the making of her. I didn't expect her to win, but I did think she would massively outrun her odds. I don't know where we'll go now. There's a good mares' programme, and we can look at some big races on slow ground after the way she's won today."

Welcome win for Dowson

Having been sidelined since suffering a broken collarbone in a fall on Betfair Chase day here in November, conditional jockey Tommy Dowson made a successful return to the saddle aboard Suggestion (4-1) in the Jockey Club Haydock Park Racing Club Handicap Hurdle.

Phil Kirby's charge displayed a willing attitude from the final flight to score by three and a quarter lengths from Night Of Glory.

"This horse is Adam Nicol's ride really, but he's unfortunately out with a broken leg," said Dowson. "It's great to be back, and Phil's horses are running great."

Kirby added: "It's great for Tommy, and I'm delighted for the horse. I thought he was high enough in the handicap, to be honest. He was quite weak as a young horse, but he's getting stronger and improving.

"He'll jump a fence at some stage, but we'll probably wait until next season now."

Jacob shines on Dicosimo

Dicosimo (8-1) got back on the winning trail for Warren Greatrex in the Cheltenham Preview Here In March Handicap Chase under a well-judged ride from Daryl Jacob.

There was a thrilling climax to the concluding Old Boston Handicap Hurdle, with Emma Lavelle's 8-1 shot Closing Ceremony and Adam Wedge lunging late to deny Silva Eclipse by a nose in the shadows of the post.


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