Tom Eaves may have been out of luck with Striker Torres but he did not waste much more time in bringing up a double when Balakiref (7-2) got up in the shadow of the post to win the Jobsmine Handicap at Haydock.

The nine-year-old won the corresponding race last year off a 5lb higher mark and relishes the soft conditions.

Michael Dods stuck with Eaves despite the jockey putting up 1lb overweight but maybe of more significance was the fact that Paul Mulrennan put up 2lb overweight on the runner-up Rabbit Fighter.

After hitting the front inside the final furlong, Rabbit Fighter was grabbed on the line and lost by a short-head.

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