Supreme favourite Mydaddypaddy claims easy Haydock verdict

Mydaddypaddy is as short as 5-1 favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle following another smart performance at Haydock.

Dan Skelton’s charge is setting the early pace for the Cheltenham Festival opener and was sent off the 1-5 favourite to beat just two rivals on Merseyside.

Smoke Trail set a decent gallop, allowing his two pursuers to settle in behind but when Harry Skelton manoeuvred to the outside of Kosac d’Oudairies, Mydaddypaddy took off, putting in a big leap at the second last and strolling home a seven-length winner.

“We’re really happy with that. They went a decent pace for a three-runner race, they settled it down round the stables bend and he’s had a nice experience,” said Dan Skelton.

“He was very quick and nimble two out and he was authoritative. With the good novices you know they’ve got the ability, that is there, it’s the jumping that is important for experience and it could be one of the most important races he ever runs in.

“I’m glad we’ve done it, it would have been easy not to have run so we’ve definitely done the right thing.

“He pulled him to the outside, we had not much to gain and everything to lose, so he was keen to give him a clear sight. The early hurdles were more complicated. He attacked the last and Harry knew he could attack the last (because he had plenty left to give).

“We’ll see how good he is over the rest of the year and he’ll go to the Formby now at Aintree over Christmas. I’d rather he came here than gallop him at home and save his racing for the track.

“His mare Debdebdeb was very good. Her first foal was rated 100 on the Flat (Dillian), he’s her second and her third is Tralee Girl, who was second in a Listed race the other day.

“Dermot (Hanafin, owner) has already won the Supreme with Cinders And Ashes and I’ve been regaled about that a few times, it’s no surprise we were always going that route.

“I’ve a suspicion he’ll get further but I have to say he’s a faster horse this year than he ever was last year. At the start of the year I thought he might want two and a half miles, but now I’m very confident he wants two.”

Joe Tizzard’s Western Knight (15-8) was second in Grade Two company as a novice hurdler and showed the benefit of his first run over fences when holding off Maximillian by a neck in the Safer Gambling With CopyBet “Chasing Excellence” Beginners’ Chase.

Winning rider Brendan Powell said: “His jumping was good. I think he’s been quite a hard horse for Joe to train. His first run was encouraging and ours have been improving for a run. He’s a big horse who should improve again.”

Harry Derham was disappointed by the showing of odds-on favourite Just Ennemi but got on the scoresheet himself with Western Monkey (11-4) in the CopyBet Daily Profit Boost Maiden Hurdle.

“He won an English point-to-point but halfway round round I didn’t think my schooling had worked,” said Derham.

“I was pleased with how he finished the race but I lost count of the amount of times the commentator said a mistake by Western Monkey. His best three jumps were his last when he was concentrating. We’ll go and carry a penalty somewhere.”

Does He Know (11-4), trained by Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, bounced back to form to make all in the CopyBet Veterans’ Handicap Chase.

“He’s a bit of an old star. I’m a big fan of these veterans’ races – this horse would be retired if it wasn’t for them. He hasn’t won for a couple of years, so it’s nice to see him win. We’ve got the final to look at now,” said Bailey.