Givemefive makes all to smash Haydock opposition

Harry Derham was full of plaudits for his jockey Paul O’Brien having watched Givemefive make all the running to win the JCB Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.

Not only was O’Brien exemplary in front, getting his fractions spot on aboard the five-year-old, but it was also his call to run in the race.

Derham had him in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton 24 hours later but O’Brien was insistent that the Haydock race would suit Givemefive (9-2) better and so it proved.

Allowed to dictate matters, he wound up the pace at the top of the straight and though Harry Skelton delivered Got Grey with a late challenge, he failed by three-quarters of a length.

“It’s often tough for the four-year-olds who go into open company the following season,” said Derham on Racing TV.

“Cheltenham was our absolute mission at the start of the season and he won, so that was great. We tried him in a couple of class one handicaps but he just wasn’t quite up to it.

“Fair play to Paul, he said at the turn of the year this race was the one for him. We got him qualified at Newcastle and Paul was adamant this was his race. He was in at Plumpton on Sunday but he was absolutely adamant the Challenger Series was the race.

“It was a brilliant front-running ride, he rides so many winners from the front, he got him in a fantastic rhythm, the race suited him, he quickened up when he wanted and it was great.”

The winner is owned by Smash Racing, with golfers Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka part of the syndicate, and a return to Haydock could be on the cards.

“If he comes out of this fine, then we’ll probably roll on to the Swinton Hurdle,” said Derham.

“In the winter, he wasn’t in great form and I don’t know why but he’s really come right now. What I don’t want to do is ask too much of him, but if he’s all right, he certainly likes the track.

“We’ve had lots of good winners but it is very important for a young trainer to have nice winners on a Saturday, so days like this are great.

“Winners in midweek are great too, but you come to the better races on a Saturday, get punched in the nose and go home with your tail between your legs, but this was a big target for him, so I’m very happy it came off.”

Jockey Callum Pritchard has been good value for his claim all season and Philip Hobbs and Johnson White made good use of it on Tiny Tetley to win the In Memory Of Ian Chambers Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle.

The 4-1 joint-favourite was ridden patiently before sprinting by the game Thank You Ma’am to win by four and a quarter lengths.

“We always felt he was a good horse but from where he started off to where he is now it’s a massive accomplishment,” said Pritchard.

“We usually make the running with him as he’s happy doing that, but up in grade, there was a lot of pace on today, we were happy just for him to be in his comfort zone and he was the whole way.

“He’s as tough as they come and coming to two out, I was always confident.

“It’s been an unbelievable season, many thanks to all the owners, trainers and connections who keep using me.”