Egbert digs deep to grind out Tommy Whittle victory

Egbert showed endless reserves of stamina to stay on strongly and win the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock.

Showing the benefit of his seasonal debut at Exeter, Alan King’s seven-year-old demonstrated a real liking for the extreme test.

He made no impression in the Scottish Grand National last season but with another year on his back, he looks like being a major player in some top staying contests later in the season.

However, he did only look booked for a place at best when Jacks Parrot streaked clear and seemingly had the race in the bag.

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s five-year-old, racing off bottom weight, appeared sure to collect at the second last.

However, the petrol gauge was soon running on empty and given a sniff, Egbert (16-1) and Gavin Sheehan stormed past to win by four and a quarter lengths, with 10 lengths back to the favourite Famous Bridge in third.

Sheehan told Racing TV: “He was brilliant. I couldn’t have him in the ground and I was going to pull up with a circuit to go.

“He kept on plugging on and he got a new lease of life turning in for some reason and he came alive for me.

“From there, I thought we could nick a place, but the further along we were going, the better he was getting.

“At the last he was good and brave, and all the way to the line I was getting more and more confident.

“He ran over four-one last year. He’s got all the ability, it’s whether he’s on song on the day. I enjoyed that today and I’m sure he did.”

Sheehan then doubled up on Jamie Snowden’s Milldam (5-2) in the Betfred Hat-Trick Heaven Handicap Hurdle.