Buttercup puts Wolf to the sword

The front-running Wolf Sword appeared to have broken his rivals approaching two out in the novice handicap chase at Haydock and was backed down to 1.26 on Betfair. However, he emptied suddenly and was collared by Buttercup.

In an incident packed finish to the 2m7f handicap hurdle at Haydock, Robin Of Locksley fell two out before being asked a question and after being done at 1.08. That left Sammy B and Samingarry to an epic duel, with the former just seeing it out best after trading at 34. The runner-up was matched at 1.15.

Lopes Dancer, who was always going well, was backed at a high-looking 15 on his way to a ready success in the 1m2f maiden at Newcastle from Wefait (1.34).