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Lc Tiffen lands shock 80-1 win in the Leigh Handicap at Haydock Park

Lisa Williamson's outsider grabs victory in the opener as racing returns to to the Merseyside track

[Lc Tiffen, trainer Lisa Williamson and jockey Molly Gunn in the winner's enclosure after victory in the Betway Leigh Handicap on Betway Rose Of Lancaster day at Haydock Park Racecourse on Saturday, August 8 2026]

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Lc Tiffen, trainer Lisa Williamson and jockey Molly Gunn in the winner's enclosure after victory in the Betway Leigh Handicap on Betway Rose Of Lancaster day at Haydock Park Racecourse on Saturday, August 8 2026(Image: Liverpool ECHO)

Lc Tiffen grabbed a shock 80-1 victory in the Betway Leigh Handicap as Saturday racing returned to Haydock Park.

Under Molly Gunn, three-year-old daughter of Mrs Tiffen trained in Tarporley, Cheshire by Lisa Williamson stunned some better fancied rivals, including 2-5 favourite Brighton View, to grab a first career success on her seventh career start.

It was the first Saturday meeting of the summer at Haydock since Temple Stakes Day in May. The enforced hiatus was due to the hole which appeared on that May day and saw the Merseyside track having to abandon eight fixtures in total through one of the busiest times of the year for the track. But after remedial work and being given the go-ahead by the British Horseracing Authority racing was back at Haydock.

Lc Tiffen had been in the rear for much of the early running of 1m2f contest as Mandarin Spirit made the running form Relentless Hero and the William Knight-trained favourite Brighton View, under championship-chasing jockey Oisin Murphy. But as Brighton View moved through to lead, Lc Tiffen came on his outside and quickly went past that rival inside the final furlong. Gunn and her partner held off the fast-finishing Saxophonist (4-1) to score by a neck with Brighton View a further length-and-a-quarter back in third.

It was a 24th career success for apprentice jockey Gunn, and the 5lb claimer said: "It was a lovely surprise, I was told to drop her out and let her take her time and find her feet. Lisa (Williamson) said she ran really well last time and this track suited her down to the ground. Clearly a light weight was what she needed. A big galloping fair track and she was good today.

"On her it took a minute (to get going). Then she picked up and we were really travelling. It probably suited her nicely. We got into the race gently and built momentum the whole way.

"It is lovely to past them (top jockeys Oisin Murphy and Danny Tudhope). Going past them and still travelling well. She hit the front and carried on. She knew where the stable yard was coming in. She tugged in right and you don't mind if they do that if you've won. It's a great start to the day."

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