Hammond takes top win at Haydock (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Hammond takes top win at Haydock

2:56pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in Sport

MIDDLEHAM trainer Micky Hammond enjoyed a fine win at Haydock last Saturday when Only Orsenfoolsies ran out a game winner of the Betfred ‘Goals Galore’ Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle, staying on stoutly in the mud to beat favourite Zamdy Man by two-and-a-half lengths.

A winner on the flat during the summer, he has really taken to the hurdling game and was following up from his recent Catterick success under Wilson Renwick.

Hammond’s assistant, Gemma Hogg, said: “We bought him privately when he was a two-year-old, I think we took a £500 chance on him and he’s done us proud.

“I think Micky is going to give him an entry in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, but he’ll probably wait for Aintree.”

The fine run of Middleham trainers continued into the new week, with winners at Carlisle and Wolverhampton on Monday.

At Carlisle, Picks Milan took the opening novices hurdle for trainer Phil Kirby and jockey Richie McGrath. The sevenyear-old was only having his second career start and was given his owner Howard Pickergill a first racecourse success.

At Wolverhampton, Simon West was on the mark with Turjuman, who took the amateur riders handicap under Nico de Boinville, who is the regular partner of Long Run and Sprinter Sacre in their home work at Nicky Henderson’s.

Back at Carlisle, Chris Crant was on the mark in the mares’ novices chase with the consistent Micro Mission, who was well ridden by Sam Drake, who continues to impress in the saddle.

Drake said: “It was quite scrappy and she was lacking concentration when out in front on her own, but she jumped well when she was racing with other horses.

Wetherby staged a sevenrace card in beautiful sunshine and John Wade saddled Forty Crown to follow-up his recent success in the staying handicap hurdle.

Once again the seven-yearold was ridden by Wilson Renwick and could well win again.

Tomorrow, at Newcastle, all eyes will be on the Eider Chase, which is due to get under way at 2.55pm.

Unexposed at this marathon trip is Cool Operator, who can go well at a nice price. The ten-year-old has won his last two races at Uttoxeter and Carlisle under Adam Nicol, but the conditional is forced to miss the ride after suffering a broken collarbone at Wetherby on Tuesday, leaving Richie McGrath to come in for the ride.

In other news from Middleham, Jock Bennett, who has worked for Mark Johnston Racing for more than 15 years, has made the final three of the Dedication to Racing Award in the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards.

He is due to travel to London for the final judging at the beginning of March, when the winner will be announced. It is a great initiative and allows for those behind the scenes to shine and Bennett would be a very worthy winner.

Looking ahead to next week and Catterick are due to race on Tuesday. The seven-race card is due to get under way at 2.20pm.