Chapman to the four as he claims Ayr glory

● Jockey enjoys best-ever day in saddle

Jockey ross chapman stole the show at Ayr yesterday, riding his first-ever four timer and finishing second on his only other mount.

And after steering Instingtive to victory in the Biggest Jumps Season on Racing UK Handicap Hurdle for win No 4 Chapman joked: “It should have been five”.

As a result of the wins Ross had his 5lb allowance reduced and he added: “Unfortunately that’s me down to 3lb now, so I’m chuffed in a way but I know it’s going to get harder now. Hopefully I can keep riding winners and trainers will continue to support me.”

The Chapman quartet came courtesy of Presented (7-1) in the three mile two furlong handicap chase for trainer Lisa Harrison, who also saddled the aforementioned Instingtive (7-1), The Delray Munky (6-1) for his guv’nor Iain Jardine in the three mile handicap hurdle and 7-4 chance Bulls Head in the two mile four furlong handicap hurdle.

The one that got away was Bobbie’s Diamond in the two mile four furlongs novices’ chase. He finished three quarter sofa length second to Looks no wt like brian. The latter was ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson who was riding his 150th winner of the season – the 12th time he had achieved that landmark.

Richard said : “He made hard work of that and didn’t jump great today. He jumped nicely on his first two starts over fences, but he never really got into a rhythm on the ground and that was probably the main problem. He’s got a good engine, though, and is getting the hang of it slowly.”

The opening race, the two mile novices’ hurdle saw the Donald Whillans trained Keyboard Gangster spring a 16-1 surprise in the hands of Callum Whillans.

At Lingfield today, Zest can get back to winning ways in the British Stallion Studs/32red EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes.

James Fanshawe’s mare has maybe not quite lived up to her breeding given her dam is a half-sister to the top-class Soviet Song, but she is still fairly useful on her day.

While she has only won three of her 17 starts, she has been more consistent of late and it is fair to say front-running tactics did not suit her last time out.

She faded to finish third behind Stellar Surprise and Carolinae, but there is a good case to be made for her to turn the tables on those two. That was a handicap last time and Zest was giving plenty of weight away, 8lb to the winner and 5lb to the second.

This time the Elite Racing Club’s mare meets them both on level terms and given she was only beaten a length and a half, she should gain her revenge.

Emenem should have benefited from a mid-winter break in the Betway Handicap.

Simon Dow has done well with the son of Sir Percy and the four-year-old already has four wins to his name, which is not a bad strike-rate given he has done most of his racing in competitive handicaps.

He last ran on Boxing Day when fourth to Mount Tahan at Wolverhampton, which is red-hot form given the winner has won again and been second to the potential top-notcher Star Archer.

Also, Emenem has been gelded in the interim, a procedure that more often than not ekes out a bit of improvement.