---
title: "Grand National favourite beaten at Haydock"
canonical: "https://readhorseracing.com/2018/02/18/grand-national-favourite-beaten-haydock/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "News"
published: "2018-02-18T10:47:03Z"
modified: "2018-02-18T10:50:49Z"
---

# Grand National favourite beaten at Haydock

Grand National favourite Blaklion finished second at Haydock on Saturday afternoon, losing out to 8-1 shot Yala Enki, [BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/43098450) report.

Yala Enki, the eight year old trained by Venetia Williams, claimed the National Trial Handicap by a staggering 54 lengths as only three of the eight starters managed to finish the race.

Blaklion, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, struggled to keep the pace on the heavy ground and never mounted a serious challenge to the eventual winner during the three miles four-and-a-half furlongs.

Mysteree was the only other finisher, coming in to cross the line 20 lengths adrift of Blaklion.

![Michael Steele/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readhorseracing.com/readhorseracing/2018/02/886890508.jpg)

Twiston-Davies, who has been given the go ahead by boss Paul Nicholls to continue the partnership with Blaklion in the Grand National itself, said a number of factors contributed to the poor showing.

> He just got very tired. Carrying that weight in that ground took its toll and we just took him straight back to the stables.

Twiston-Davies and Nicholls will be hoping to brush this result aside, as they look towards the National in April.