Haynes caps return with second winner

Just 24 hours after Cape Tribulation struck in the Pertemps Final for Malcolm Jefferson, the North Yorkshire-based handler was back in the winner’s enclosure with this 20-1 chance.

It was a fitting reward for Haynes who joined the Malton yard last autumn before eyecatching wins in the Rowland Meyrick and Peter Marsh Chases on According To Pete, Yorkshire’s big National hope next month.

He was only eligible for the race, restricted to conditional riders, because he did not reach his 75th career winner until last weekend. Now he will have no weight advantage when he takes on the likes of AP McCoy – and will be unable to defend the race next year.

“The way things have worked out for me this last year, from being down and out to being in here, it’s amazing,” said Haynes.

“Mr Jefferson has been putting me on some nice horses and they’ve been doing the job. I won on this lad at Market Rasen the last day and I can’t believe the way he’s run up the hill – he’s kept galloping and wanted it all the way. I thought the yard might have used up all the luck but thankfully there was no stopping him.”

As for Jefferson, he had gone 17 years without a Festival winner before striking in successive days. “He’s a lovely horse and he had good, late form. He’s a gutsy horse – he’s tough, genuine and easy to train,” he said. “I honestly thought we had a hell of a chance and Harry has given him a great ride. There’ll be something for him at Aintree now.”

Brindisi Breeze landed a rare Scottish win when Lucinda Russell’s charge upset the Irish banker Boston Bob in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle.