Storm Surge jumped his rivals ragged to take the Maxilead Metals Handicap Chase at Haydock.

Second at Catterick on Tuesday, Martin Todhunter's gelding (9-2 co-favourite) was running from out of the handicap and made full use of his light weight.

Given a bold ride by Lucy Alexander, a spring-heeled leap at the last sealed victory and although the grey tired badly in the last 100 yards, he held on by two and a half lengths from Woody Waller and Tartan Snow.

Todhunter said: "I was a bit worried it might come too soon. The way the handicappers are these days, though, I know the handicapper will hammer him as they pulled a long way clear of the third (at Catterick).

"It wasn't soft enough at Catterick, he wants it like this, nearly unracecable. Lucy gets on well with him, that's her second win and she's also been second on him from just four rides."

Henry Daly was beaming from ear to ear after the victory of Safran De Cotte in the Maxilead Metals Supports Alder Hey Imagine Appeal Handicap Hurdle.

The grey is owned by the Timpson Family, guests of the Whittles, sponsors of the feature Tommy Whittle on the card.

Still only five, the 13-2 chance had run well behind the well regarded Poungach at Sandown and loved the conditions, staying on grimly in the straight to hold off the gallant Across The Bay, who tried to make all, by four and a half lengths. Teenage Idol was third.

Daly said: "That's been the plan since September. The owners are guests of the Whittles today so we were always going to come for this. He ran well last time and he needs the ground like this, nearly unraceable. We'll step him up to three miles now and go chasing next season."

23 May 2012

Camelot tops Champion entry
Smullen takes Sea ride
Prohibit set to swerve Temple test
Great Leighs fixture bid refused
Disappointment for Rooney team
Aigles among Longchamp contenders
Star set for Epsom trip
Lyons plots Pearl route
Height a tall order for Coquet
Collina camp's grounds for optimism
Nothing grim about Reaper - Lyons
Expense to stake Cocked Hat claim
Twelve steps back in grade
Nottingham maidens go West
Guest raising sights with Miliika
Sprinter races to record mark
Invincible Buck's rules supreme
King Kauto ranked No.1 again
Trees to take Temple test
Hermival confirmed for Guineas
Think booked for Curragh Gold
Samitar facing Ballydoyle big guns

22 May 2012

Pulse aims for Ascot redemption
Brother sent to Coventry
Kitty handed Ascot target
Prescott mulling Worthadd route
Chepstow test for Rooney colt
Cheka team happy to chase Caviar
Charlton maps out Roko agenda
Santo set for Greenlands run
Pearl misses Classic date
Hanson makes it count at Redcar
McCoy to the four at Newton Abbot
Late Classic clues in Cocked Hat
Ferland wants Frankie for Dabirsim
Unaccompanied given Cork mission
Ballydoyle boss Curragh Classic
Sole Power heads Temple entry
Gold Cup hero Oats dies, aged 26
Frankel in a world of his own

21 May 2012

Cross ticks boxes for Derby bid
Greatrex splits with owner Denmark
Mullins pair set for French rematch
Ascot option for Danedream
Channon making Royal plans
Fame strikes on Navan return
Arc star back with a victory
Mullins star lands French prize
Asset third in Singapore
Turner hails Abdullah jockeys
O'Sullevan joins in accolades
Fort to aim for bigger prizes
Longchamp beckons for Penitent
Classy Pearl sent to Coventry

20 May 2012

Fame strikes on Navan return
Frankel set for Queen Anne
Ascot possible for Mulaqen
Another shoots for Triple Crown
Shanahan gets off the mark
Athos has Melbourne date
Mighty Frankel takes Lockinge
Expense claims Gold Cup
Dettori times it just right
Derby option for Worthy winner
Tregoning strikes with Hawaafez
Bishop pounces for debut success
Brindisi killed in accident