Artist third at Haydock The Willie Mullins-trained Court Artist finished an honourable third as prolific mare Cap Soleil rediscovered the winning thread in the Betfred Home Of Goals Galore Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Haydock. Court Artist carries the colours of the Blue Blood Racing Club, a syndicate made up entirely of members of the An Garda Siochana. The winner of a Kilbeggan bumper during the summer, the daughter of Court Cave disappointed on her hurdling debut at Down Royal in September, but having bounced back with successive victories at Ballinrobe and Wexford, she was stepped up to Listed class on Merseyside. Ridden by Paul Townend, Court Artist looked likely to prevail when striking on between the final two flights, but she was mowed down late by both Fergal O'Brien's Cap Soleil (11-10 favourite) and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Angels Antics, with the former prevailing by a neck. James Fenton, racing manager for Court Artist's owners, said: "We're delighted with how she ran. She ran her heart out and she was very brave. "She just missed the last and Paul had to just sit on her. Whether that cost her the race or not, we don't know, but we're thrilled with her. "It's great for the mare as we know what she's capable of. The winner is a terribly good mare, having won two Listed bumpers, so for us to finish half a length behind her, we'll take that. "She seems fine after the race, but we'll get her home and make a plan from there. "We've all had a great day out and Haydock have looked after us incredibly well. As owners we've never experienced anything like it, so it's great."
