HAYDOCK races have come and gone with relatively little comment this winter, though the course rarely escapes the rain and racing invariably takes place on heavy ground.

With times sometimes a minute outside standard, very few experts take the bare results literally and that will be true of the Grade 3 Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase, won by Venetia Williams’ Yala Enki in the hands of Charlie Deutsch.

Eight were declared, three completed and the winning distance was 54 lengths. Leading Aintree hope, Blaklion probably had little chance with 11st 12lb (conceding the winner 15lb) and was allowed to trot home in second once Wild West Wind refused two out when clearly exhausted. Mysteree finished third.

For those who follow Ms Williams in big Saturday staying chases, where she has a good record, 8/1 was a fair price about the winner. True, he fell at the first at Sandown last time but before that had finished a fair fourth of 16 to The Flying Dutchman here on similar ground over a slightly shorter trip. Blaklion was very poor value at 9/4 favourite and this effort does not detract from his chance at Liverpool.

Another favourite who set a stiff task was recent Cheltenham winner Agrapart, sent off at a very short 4/7 in the Grade 2 Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle.

As last time, he battled on well but could not reach 7/1 chance Donna’s Diamond on the run-in, Chris Grant’s horse going on to score by just over two lengths. No Hassle Hoff fared best of the rest.

Returning from a long absence, Donna’s Diamond had twice shown his liking for a severe test here - an advantage which cannot be overstated. In front three out, he stayed on gamely for young Callum Bewley and would not be denied. Agrapart was trying to concede 6lb and owes no one anything. He needs it soft and will not contest the Stayers’ Hurdle on better ground.

Boite made most of the running but hit four out and was just starting to weaken when coming down at the next. Poignantly, Paul Nicholls called time on Zarkandar’s career after the horse, successful in this race last year, finished last of the other four.

Bred by the Aga Khan and a fine campaigner, Zarkandar won the Triumph Hurdle in his youth, ran well in more than one Champion Hurdle and also obliged at Grade 1 level at Auteuil, earning £911,734 in his career.

CHEF LOOKS CLASS

Nicky Henderson has such an arsenal of talent for Cheltenham that nominating preferred races is tricky. However, the Albert Bartlett itself looks right for Chef Des Obeaux, who came home 15 lengths clear of Uppertown Prince in the same sponsor’s Grade 2 novices’ hurdle.

A well-backed 13/8 favourite, Chef Des Obeaux is highly rated at Seven Barrows but still has to prove himself on faster ground.

Interestingly, the third home here was Golan Fortune, who has been running well in (and winning) very competitive handicap hurdles. Although reading too much into that is risky, it looks as if Saturday’s race was well above average.

Elgin for Champion

NICKY Henderson might have expected to win the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton with Call Me Lord but could finish only third behind Alan King’s Elgin and Harry Fry’s Ch’Tibello.

Elgin led two out and was never in danger, prompting the thought that a tilt at the Champion might be in order, with the Elite Racing Club paying the supplementary fee of £20,000.

“Yes, I think so,” the trainer said.

“He’s progressed right through the year and is a big, powerful horse now.”

King won the Kingwell with Katchit in 2008, the horse following up in the big one the following month.