Fergal has eye in for a double

Fergal O’Brien had a plan the minute he heard that September’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival had been abandoned.

The astute Gloucestershire based trainer immediately knew Monday’s opening jumps meeting of the season at the Craigie track would be run on soft ground which he was finding difficult to source for his horses in the south.

He sent two on the 640 mile round trip to Ayr and was duly rewarded with two winners – the 2- 5 chance Global Stage in the opening William Hill Get The App On Google Play Maiden Hurdle and Socksy, 4- 1 co- favourite in the two mile four furlong handicap chase.

There was also a double for Lucinda Russell with Rivabodiva, 7- 1, winning the Conditional Jockeys’ Training Handicap Hurdle part of the Racing Excellence series.

Lucinda then won the feature race , the William Hill Proud To Support Scottish Sport Handicap Chase with Vengeur De Guye, a 3- 1 chance, collaring long time leader Halcyon Days close home to win by a length under Grand National winning jockey Derek Fox.

Another odds on favourite to win was Better Getalong ( 8- 13), trained by Nicky Richards, who was always travelling well under jockey Ryan Day and won by three and a half lengths from Quick Pick.