Our Mick wins with ease

Our Mick: Won with something to spare

Donald McCain and Jason Maguire completed a quickfire double at Haydock when their grey Our Mick showed laudable tenacity in the Grade Two Betfair-sponsored novices' chase.

The trainer and jockey, successful in the opener with Cinders And Ashes, teamed up with the the six-year-old who fleetingly appeared in trouble along the back straight, but had a greater level of stamina than the protagonists.

Majala, who made most of the running, and runner-up State Benefit arguably travelled better than the winner for a long way, but Maguire's companion refused to buckle, and gradually fought into contention.

Plenty In Reserve

Our Mick gained the lead two out and had 13 lengths in reserve at the line.

McCain said: "I took a bit of a liberty as he hated every yard of that, but he's very tough.

"I was going to go for the novice handicap chase at Cheltenham next week, but I thought it best to come here instead.

"I don't know about the Festival. I'll have to talk to the Keith (Benson, owner). He's a hard Cheshire farmer but he's soft on his horses.

"If he did go there it would be for the novice handicap or the Jewson. I don't know what the handicapper will do as he was top-rated coming here.

"Cheltenham in March has to be a possibility though as he's won his last three and this was a Grade Two."