Dream Shadow denies Festival winner at Haydock

Dream Shadow made all to spring a surprise in the Unibet Abram Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle after holding off Cheltenham Festival winner White Noise at Haydock.

White Noise went off the 4-5 favourite following her big win at Prestbury Park last month and looked in prime position to pounce behind Fergal O’Brien’s front-runner.

As they hit the final turn, though, Dream Shadow (16-5) kicked on alongside Just A Glance to turn the contest into a stamina test, which the seven-year-old passed thanks to competent jumping to seal a four-length Listed success, with Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls’ market leader rallying for second.

“It’s good to beat a Cheltenham winner who has been in good form all season and we’ve been running against each other a couple of times,” O’Brien said.

“She’s danced a few dances, she’s run in three Pattern races and she was fourth, second and now won one. She’s been so consistent and very straightforward, she’s been brilliant.

“It was a great ride from Johnny (Burke), he was in total control of the race so it was brilliant and I’m absolutely delighted with her.”

Riskintheground left it late to successfully defend his Unibet Silver Trophy crown for champion trainer-elect Dan Skelton.

Moved from its traditional home of Cheltenham to Merseyside due to drainage work at the Gloucestershire venue, the nine-year-old still came out on top for second straight year during a tense final furlong.

Fugitif had led for much of the Grade Two over two miles and four furlongs before there was a four-wide fight for the lead as they jumped the second-last fence together.

Zurich stretched ahead but Harry Skelton’s mount kept in touch as the pair pushed for the line, with Riskintheground (4-1) securing the victory by a neck.

Burke enjoyed a double on the day when guiding George’s Lad (11-1) to a 11-length victory in the Try Unibets Smartview Racecards Handicap Hurdle for Emma Lavelle.

Skelton had also saddled the first of two winners in the opening Watch Unibet Racing Postcast Novices’ Hurdle after Le Beau Madrik (7-4 favourite) eased to a 15-length success.