By Andrew Atkinson
Hillcrest tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info won the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices Hurdle over 3 miles at Haydock Park, under testing heavy ground.
Seven-year-old Hillcrest, ridden by Richard Patrick, gained an 8 lengths win ahead of Crystal Glory (17-2) going clear at the run-in, returning at evens, backed from 11-8.
Trainer Ben Clarke saddled The Galloping Bear to beat Bristol De Mai in the Grade 3 William Hill Grand National Trial.
The Galloping Bear 9-2 favourite receiving 19lbs from Bristol De Mai, under 11st 12lb, recorded victory, under jockey Ben Jones.
“I’m stunned to be honest – Bristol De Mai, the Haydock legend – I can’t believe it. It was absolutely magic,” said Clarke.
“I’ve followed Bristol De Mai – he’s an absolute legend. He gave us plenty of weight and that has been the difference,” he said.
Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of 11-year-old veteran Bristol De Mai, said: “He was brilliant – we thought we’d won it.
“They say weight stops trains and he just gave them too much weight. There are no plans for him – we’ll see what happens.”
*Adrimel (4-6), Porticello (1-3) and Hillcrest (evens) returned a fromthehorsesmouth.info 4-1 Haydock Park treble
