Russell off and running

● Trainer’s double over jumps at Ayr

Lucinda Russell got off to a great start on the opening day of the 2017-2018 jumps season at Ayr yesterday saddling a double.

Her first success of the afternoon with Rivabodiv, a 7-1 shot in the Conditional Jockeys’ Training Handicap Hurdle, part of the Racing Excellence series, gave jockey Thomas Willmott his first-ever winner from only his ninth ride.

Russell also landed the feature, the William Hill Proud To Support Scottish Sport Handicap Chase with Vengeur De Guye, a 3-1 chance, collaring Halcyon Days close home to win by a length.

There was plenty of incident in the two mile four furlong handicap chase with one of the three 4-1 co-favourites Star Tackle unseating his rider on the back straight and Well Above Par falling three out when well in contention.

Socksy (4-1) prevailed in the end winning by a length and a half from Buffalo Ballet. That gave trainer Fergal O’brien and jockey Paddy Brennan who had earlier won the maiden hurdle with 2-5 favourite Global Stage a double .

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.