Main Fact completes remarkable nine-timer at Haydock

David Pipe's charge was winning a sixth successive start over timber to add to his latest three flat wins and it looked unlikely three out as he was hard to find in among the pack.

However, going to the last he began to emerge through the gloom as 6/1 favourite Third Wind went on to make his own bid for glory.

The market leader proved a sitting duck for the prolific winner who found the reserves to reel him in and go on and score by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

Highland Hunter (7/1) and Ask Dillon (20/1) were third and fourth.

A delighted Pipe said: “He’s a freak of a horse really, isn’t he? His relations are graded horses in America, and he’s bred by Juddmonte – and obviously, this was a career-best today. The rain came for us, which obviously he loves.

“Not that I could see much on the TV, but Fergus gave him a great ride. They’ve got a great partnership. He’s not pretty to watch in his races. But he’s there at the finish – which is the most important thing.”

“I was thinking the same thing (not to be today) – but you just hope he’s starting to stay on. We weren’t certain to get the three miles – even though it was likely – but he’s got every yard of it, and he’s probably idled when he’s got to the front again.”

On future plans, Pipe said: “I suppose it has to be (graded races now). Because of his style of running, soft or heavy ground is probably pretty important – but at the same time, he deserves to go up in grade again. This was a fantastic race, but he probably deserves to go into graded company.

“We’ll stick at this (staying trip) now. He has to improve again, but he’s going to go up into the 150s now, so you have to take him seriously.”