Harrington Seeking Second Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle

Jessica Harrington, who landed the Grade Three Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle with Irish raider Mac´s Joy two years ago, has another classy contender for this year´s #75,000 contest to be run at Haydock Park on Saturday, May 6, in the shape of Callow Lake.

The County Kildare trainer reported: 'Callow Lake is in great form, I´m delighted with him. He´s definitely going to Haydock, provided the ground is good. I don´t mind if it´s fast but as long as it´s not heavy.'

Callow Lake, a smart dual-purpose performer, was a good second to Wishwillow Lord in the highly-competitive Menolly Homes Handicap Hurdle over two miles at Fairyhouse on April 18. That was the six-year-old´s first start over hurdles since running a fine third behind More Rainbows and Tiger Cry in the prestigious Guinness Galway Hurdle in July.

Harrington commented: 'This horse has been second and third in practically every good handicap hurdle in Ireland.

'He´s a summer horse so he´ll go to the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle and then he´ll probably run in the Ulster Harp Derby on the Flat, which he was second in last year, before going to the Galway Hurdle.'

Callow Lake will bid to become the fourth Irish-trained horse to capture the two-mile Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle. The Arthur Moore-trained Bitofabanter was successful in 1992, followed by She´s Our Mare for Tony Martin in 1999, and this season´s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle runner-up Mac´s Joy took the prize in 2004.

Somerset trainer Philip Hobbs reports that Grade Two Sottish Champion Hurdle winner Noble Request and smart novice Motorway, a four-time winner this season, are being considered for the race.

He said: 'It´s a possibility that Noble Request or Motorway could run but they´re in at Sandown this weekend, so we´ll see what happens there first.'

Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle day marks the beginning of a new and exciting partnership between Haydock Park and Betfred, the world´s largest independent bookmaker, which is sponsoring the entire card.

The seven-race card, including the Listed #30,000 Betfred Spring Trophy over seven furlongs on the Flat, carries total prize money of #173,500, an increase of #6,000 on 2005.

Betfred has also increased by 33 per cent the prize fund for the Group One Haydock Sprint Cup, to be run on Saturday, September 2, which is now worth a record #300,000.

The partnership sees the bookmaking chain take over the management of the Haydock Park racecourse betting shop, which Betfred boss Fred Done will officially open on Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle day, Saturday, May 6.