Gallery floors Haydock hotpot

Gallery Girl produced a battling performance to hold off 4-6 chance Mr Sandicliffe and land the opening race at Haydock Park today.

Dave Allan had Tim Easterby’s filly smartly into her stride in the A4e & NSPCC Maiden Auction Stakes, but she looked in trouble when the hot favourite threw down a strong challenge at the two-pole.

However, the daughter of Namid is nothing if not game and the 14-1 shot pulled out that vital bit extra to score by half a length from Mr Sandicliffe, who was occupying the runner-up’s slot for the fourth time in as many starts.

Keith Stone, representing Easterby, was not surprised with Gallery Girl’s victory.

He said: “She’s a lovely filly and she’s done it well. She’s got bags of scope.

“She’s had sore shins and she’d be a bit better with a shade of cut in the ground.”