The Betfair Exchange "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle
QuinnBet
Grade 3, Haydock Park 14:25
£80,000 added, 4yo plus,
2m 6f 177y, Class 1 
Saturday 19th November 2016

Free Racing Tips

1 Kruzhlinin 9/1
2 Theo's Charm 15/2
3 Yala Enki 5/1F
NR: Thomas Crapper, Unowhatimeanharry
13 ran Distances: 2½l, 6l, 2l
TIME 5m 56.90s (slow by 28.90s)

Kruzhlinin digs deep under Richard Johnson

Kruzhlinin
© Racehorse Photos
Kruzhlinin

The Philip Hobbs-trained Kruzhlinin was to the fore from the start under Richard Johnson in a race run in attritional conditions that had most of the field well beaten off before the home turn.

Third behind Caid Du Berlais on his seasonal reappearance at Aintree, he comprehensively reversed that form with a bloodless display.

Headed by Theo's Charm two out, he had rallied to lead again by the last as the pair steadily pulled clear of their tiring rivals.

Theo's Charm came again on the long run-in and pushed Kruzhlinin (9/1) all the way to the winning post, but the two-and-a-half-length winning margin was thoroughly deserved.

Yala Enki held off Donna's Diamond for third place.

Free Racing Tips

Hobbs said: "This horse ran well the other day at Aintree. We were just a bit worried about the ground today, but he coped with it really well. He's very genuine.

"The blinkers sharpened him up a bit. I never doubted his resolution. He had lost his confidence a bit after the Grand National.

"He went to Chepstow and jumped enormous. He wasn't enjoying it all so we went back over hurdles and got the bonus of this which is great.

"He's been to Aintree three times over the National fences. It's not really his job so he won't do it again.

"This is a fantastic prize, especially as it's just a fortnight after his last run. It's really good."

Free Racing Tips

Betfair Exchange "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle
£80,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 6f 177y, Class 1
12 ran
Going: Heavy

Pos D Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st Kruzhlinin (GER) 9/1 R Johnson
10-13
P J Hobbs 9
2nd Theo's Charm (IRE) 15/2 Wayne Hutchinson
10-7
N J Gifford 6
3rd 6 Yala Enki (FR) 5/1f Harry Cobden (3)
11-2
Miss V Williams 6
4th 2 Donna's Diamond (IRE) 50/1 Ryan Hatch (3)
10-10
C Grant 7
5th Westren Warrior (IRE) 6/1 B Hughes
10-13
Dr R D P Newland 7
6th 14 Point The Way (IRE) 6/1 Danny Cook
10-8
B Ellison 5
7th 9 Two Taffs (IRE) 7/1 Harry Skelton
11-1
D Skelton 6
PU Caid Du Berlais (FR) 9/1 Stan Sheppard (5)
11-11
P F Nicholls 7
PU Ballybolley (IRE) 20/1 Jamie Bargary (3)
10-11
N A Twiston-Davies 7
PU Western Cape (IRE) 16/1 Kevin Jones (5)
10-10
J W Mullins 5
PU Affaire D'honneur (FR) 16/1 Joshua Moore
10-5
H Whittington 5
UR Matorico (IRE) 20/1 Aidan Coleman
11-2
Jonjo O'Neill 5
UR Rathpatrick (IRE) 20/1 Jonathan Moore (3)
10-12
E Griffin 8
NR Unowhatimeanharry 7/1 N D Fehily
11-12
H Fry 8
NR Thomas Crapper 25/1 C Poste
10-3
R Dickin 9

Free Racing Tips