Mr Cool too hot for rivals

Mr Cool rolled back the years to spring a 33-1 shock in the opening race at Haydock Park today.

Martin Pipe’s 11-year-old had not won since he landed a Grade Two event at Ascot in November 2003 and as a result had slipped down the weights and carried just 10st 4lb in the Stanleybet Long Distance Handicap Hurdle.

He was always handy before being sent on by Jamie Moore four flights from home and he never looked likely to be caught as he saw out the near three-mile trip well to come home six lengths clear of Mr Ed, the 7-2 favourite.

Moore said: “I don’t know whether I was confident going on four out or brainless, but he kept galloping all the way to the line.

“He’s shown his best form over two, two and a half miles, but he only had 10st 4lb on his back and he's used to carrying 11st 12lb, so he really thought he was running loose today.

“He got a little tired after the last but there is a strong headwind and the ground is pretty slow.”

Mr Cool, who was having only his second start after being off for 14 months following stem cell treatment on a leg problem, was winning his 14th race.

Moore added: “All credit to the boss for getting him back and the owners for persevering. He is all heart and all he wants to do is try for you, and that’s what he’s done today.”

Coat Of Honour (6-1) added another good hurdles prize to owner Graham Wylie's tally with an emphatic victory in the Stanleybet Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old was always close to the pace set by Genghis in the two-mile contest before Graham Lee sent him on approaching the second-last.

Definate Spectacle loomed up with a threatening challenge, but Howard Johnson’s charge had a two-length advantage over the final flight and was not hard pressed as he went clear for a five-length triumph.

Rooster Booster, who had been dropped out at the back of the field, was brought through in the straight but never looked like getting to the winner and was run out of third place close home by Crossbow Creek.