Haydock delight for Megan Fox with Brentford Hope

Megan Fox excelled as she rode just her second ever winner on Brentford Hope in the Sky Bet Club Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.

The 7lb conditional last tasted victory on Ben Pauling’s Whatsupwithyou back in December 2023, but timed it to perfection on Harry Derham’s stalwart.

Now a nine-year-old, Brentford Hope (5-1) has been second to Constitution Hill in the International Hurdle and filled the same spot in an Elite Hurdle at his peak, and down to a mark of 134 he quickened up smartly to beat Smart Decision by a neck.

“I’m just delighted to have the opportunity to ride him, everyone loves him and it’s nice for his owners and everyone to see him win again,” said Fox.

“He had a tongue strap on which obviously made a difference as he travelled a lot better today and he jumped a lot better.

“He thoroughly enjoyed today which was great as the last couple of races he hadn’t and hadn’t been travelling.

“I’m based with Harry, I have been for about a season and a half and I’m grateful of the support.”

Donald McCain’s Throatlash won for the third time this season in the Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap Chase.

Former champion jockey Brian Hughes made all the running and while he looked a sitting duck in the straight, he had saved plenty on the 4-1 joint-favourite.

McCain said: “He must be the biggest horse I’ve ever trained, he’s all of 18 hands.

“I wasn’t going to buy him but my son Finn egged me on and Jimmy (Fyffe, owner) saw how keen he was on him so told me to put his name down next to him.

“He might not be going to be a star but he’s still a novice for this season and we’ll keep tipping away.

“I put my neck on the line over the trips, I thought he’d get two and a half, and he’ll be some sight in a Grand Sefton or a Topham one day.”