Broughtons back in style at Haydock

Broughtons Revival staked her claim for the totesport Cesarewitch by returning in triumph from a two-month break at Haydock.

The six-year-old is 25-1 with the sponsors for the Newmarket marathon in three weeks, for which a 4lb penalty takes her weight up to 7st 13lb, after making it three wins from her last five outings in the TurfTV Handicap.

Philip Robinson sent the Willie Musson-trained mare into the lead two furlongs out and she was ridden out to score by a length and three-quarters from Bogside Theatre.

Musson’s representative George McGrath said: “She hasn’t had a lot of racing and I should think she will stay in training next year.

“She is entered in the Cesarewitch and if the ground is soft she could go there, but Mr Musson will have to speak to her owner.”

Robinson was pleased with the filly’s performance and added: “She did it well, she will stay further and I think there is more improvement in her yet.”

Barry Hills was in cracking form at the course on Friday with three winners and he struck again when Dabbers Ridge (4-1) defied top weight under Darryll Holland in the Akzo Nobel Premier Handicap.

Holland said: “I served my apprenticeship with Barry and was first jockey to him for a year, so it is nice to ride a winner again for him.”

The legendary Lester Piggott was on hand to present the prize for the “Start To Finish” Handicap named in his honour, and Oldjoesaid (7-1) showed the way home under Dane O’Neill in the five-furlong dash.

O’Neill pushed the Henry Candy-trained gelding into the lead over a furlong out and he quickly went away to pass the post with two lengths to spare over Efistorm.

Candy was represented by former jockey Brian Clotworthy, who said: “The form of his first run was very solid, but last time at Sandown he was badly drawn and he had not run since May, so he may have needed it.”

After finishing second in all her other three starts, Michael Bell’s Badalona (3-1) landed a deserved success under Hayley Turner in the MTB Group EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.