3 minute read

Lizzie Kelly gave Aubusson a perfect ride to win the Betfair 'This Is Play' 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park.

The 21-year-old conditional refused to panic when challengers were queuing up behind her in the home straight as the giant five-year-old pulled out more after the second-last to win impressively.

Aubusson (9-1) took up the running on the second circuit and the Nick Williams-trained gelding jumped the hurdles with aplomb, getting the opposition in big trouble running towards the last. Big Easy stuck to the task, but was beaten a length and three-quarters.

Irish raider Dara Tango was third, with 3-1 favourite Volnay De Thaix fourth.

Kelly said: "Everything went well, he travelled nicely and jumped super. He actually didn't mind the ground, but he'd like it better. He's a horse with a huge future. It's great for me to ride a horse with his profile."

The jockey's mother, Jane Williams, who is also assistant trainer to her husband, said: "It's so exciting.

"The ground isn't as soft as we were expecting, which was a bonus, though I'm sure he'll be better on better ground. Last season the race at Cheltenham (in January) finished him, he's very fragile and still young.

"I had to watch that with my fingers in my ears and under a bench as they are both my babies. It's always better watching it when you know they've won.

"There are no plans, this was the target. He's so fragile we take it one race at a time. We took a long time to discuss the tactics but I think we got them right."