Saturday 20 December 2014 17:25, UK
A review of the rest of Saturday's Haydock action, as Pirate's Queen got up close home to land the Listed mares' event.
The Pirate's Queen (11/8) came out on top after a thrilling tussle with Bitofapuzzle to take the Listed honours in the Swift SFM Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
The unbeaten Bitofapuzzle proved a tough customer but Denis O'Regan produced the Alan King-trained mare with a patient run to get her head in front close home for a neck verdict.
The pair pulled seven and a quarter lengths ahead of Rons Dream in third.
"She jumped great through the race, apart from the third-last," said O'Regan.
"The ground was way too deep for her. I only had to hope that it wouldn't turn into too much of a stamina battle.
"Thankfully she had enough class to win in the end. She'll be a lovely mare in the spring."
Sleepy Haven reaped the benefit of a recent seasonal reappearance to run out a ready winner of the Joel Murray Handicap Hurdle.
Jason Maguire brought the Jennie Candlish-trained four-year-old, who had shaped well at Sandown two weeks ago after a near eight-month absence, to lead at the second-last after the pacesetting Circus Star made a bad mistake.
Sleepy Haven (9/2) quickly put the race to bed and went on to score by seven lengths from Attwaal, with Emral Silk third, another three-quarters of a length away.
"He ran very well in a Listed race at Sandown two weeks ago. He needed the run as our horses had been sick," said Candlish's assistant Alan O'Keeffe.
"I thought he got a fabulous ride. Jason was very patient on the ground.
"This horse had good form last year. We thought he would run a big race in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham but he didn't get in, so he went to Sandown instead and ran very well (second to Dispour).
"The tongue-tie has helped him tremendously.
"He'll probably go jumping fences sooner rather than later.
"He's schooled well at home and we might make use of his four-year-old allowance in a chase if we can find a race before the new year."
Whispering Harry (11/2) registered his second success from four starts over fences with a smooth success in the Swift Drafters Handicap Chase.
Leading after the third-last in the hands of James Davies, Henry Oliver's five-year-old kept on gamely to hold Stagecoach Pearl by a length and a quarter with Greywell Boy third.
"I shouldn't have taken him to Exeter last time as it didn't suit him. Flat, galloping tracks like Haydock are better for him," said Oliver.
"He's very progressive and he's a tough, genuine horse. He's the first horse we bought for the owner (Richard Whitehead).
"He was on a nice handicap mark and he's progressed and progressed. "
Boondooma (11/10 favourite) gained just reward after giving the smart Melodic Rendezvous a scare at Bangor last week when getting off the mark over fences in the Swift First Time Right Novices' Chase.
The seven-year-old, trained by Dr Richard Newland, put in a good round of jumping as he made all the running under Will Kennedy.
His main market rival Vivaccio was beaten when unseating Liam Treadwell two out and Boondooma galloped on stoutly to come home 12 lengths clear of Ifandbutwhynot.
"It was a really good run the last day. We maybe thought Melodic Rendezvous hadn't run up to his best, but on that maybe he did," said Kennedy.
"He jumped really well today. The plan was the same as the last day, to pop him out and see. We went more of a gallop and he's a nice horse."
Kilcooley (11/2) ran his rivals ragged to run away with the Grech Family Handicap Hurdle.
Charlie Longsdon's five-year-old pulled clear in the straight to win by 23 lengths under 5lb claimer Charlie Deutsch.
He said: "He's a relentless galloper and has improved for the step up in trip. He also jumped very well."
Sleepy Haven (9/2) reaped the benefit of an encouraging seasonal reappearance two weeks earlier to run out a seven-length winner of the Joel Murray Handicap Hurdle for jockey Jason Maguire.
"He'll probably go jumping fences sooner rather than later. He's schooled well at home and we might make use of his four-year-old allowance in a chase if we can find a race before the new year," said trainer Jenny Candlish's assistant Alan O'Keeffe.
However, Candlish was fined £280 by the stewards as the record of vaccinations in the passport of Sleepy Haven did not comply with the Rules of Racing.
Closing Ceremony (2/1 favourite) led from pillar-to-post to claim the Alison And Rielly Handicap Hurdle for trainer Emma Lavelle and jockey Richie McLernon.
"He stays very well and jumps from A to B. It will be exciting when he jumps a fence," said Lavelle.
