On-song Songe just champion

There was a turn up in the Blue Square Champion Hurdle Trial when Songe lowered the colours of some classy individuals at Haydock.

Fourth in the Triumph Hurdle last year, he had been sent chasing earlier in the season without success but returned to hurdles last time he ran a sound race in The Ladbroke to be third.

Sent of 7-1, Charlie Longsdon’s stable star always travelled well for Tom Siddall and when favourite Snap Tie cried enough at the third-last, he overhauled Afsoun to win by one and a half lengths.

The winner was cut to 12-1 from 20s by Paddy Power for the totesport Trophy, for which he has picked up a 5lb penalty.

Trevor Hemmings must have had a great thrill watching the Peter Marsh Chase as the finish was fought out by his two runners, Cloudy Lane and Glasker Mill.

And it was Donald McCain’s top-weight Cloudy Lane (6-1) who came out on top with a gutsy display to fend off the Henrietta Knight-trained bottom-weight.

Both have shown their best form at Haydock in the past and that was the case again but Jason Maguire just got the better of Graham Lee in a thrilling duel to win by a head.

Opera Mundi was only two lengths away in third for Paul Nicholls.

Former smart Flat performer Alfie Flits is finally beginning to translate his ability to hurdles and ran out a ready winner of the Blue Square Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle.

Alan Swinbank’s seven-year-old appeared to be one of the most exposed runners in the field but the 8-1 chance outstayed his rivals.

Favourite Dee Ee Williams looked a real threat two out but faded tamely and it was left to Son Of Flicka and McMurrough to chase him home.

Part-owner Russell Hall said: This is a lucky track for me, Collier Hill also won here for us.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with him, he looked as if he was going to win from some way out and the flat track and good ground has suited him perfectly.

“The plan now is to go for the novice hurdle at Aintree on Grand National day.”