Bookmakers reeling as every favourite wins on day one at Ayr
Bookmakers were left counting the cost on the first day of the Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr yesterday after all seven favourites on the card won.
The combined odds of the winners was just short of 1,620-1.
City Chief (11-8) set the ball rolling in the Ayrshire Hospice, Building The Future Novices'handicaphurdlefornicky Henderson and jockey James Bowen.
Dan Skelton was in double form with Beakstown (9-4) and Get A Tonic (5-2), as brother Harry rode them to victory inthehillhousequarryhandicap Chase and the Coral Mares' Handicap Hurdle respectively.
The misery continued for the layers as the Neil Alexandertrained Dubai Days (4-6) kept the prizemoney north of the border, taking the extended two-mile Seko Logistics Scotland Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
When Stringtoyourbow (3-1) hit the target in the concluding three-mile Thistle Cabs Group Handicap, it is doubtful many bookmakers had any spare change left in their satchels for a taxi fare home.
William Hill described the results as "a woeful start to the weekend", with spokesman Tony Kenny adding: "Thankfully the competitive nature of the racing at Ayr meant we haven't been hit with too many favourite-backing accumulators.”
In today’s action, Dusart can return to winning ways in the CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase, after finding the Cheltenham Festival tough going on the rain-drenched Wednesday. Back on a sound surface and dropped markedly in class, Dusart can regain the winning thread, despite being saddled with top-weight.
Onemorefortheroadisanotherwhocanfeelthebenefitofbetter ground in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle.
He got a bit tired on his return to action in the Imperial Cup, cominghomea12-lengthfourth behind runaway Irish winner Suprise Package. That was his firststartsincedecember,when he claimed a fine second in an Ascot Grade Three, although winner Tritonic has not boosted the form too much in the interim. Granted a bit of progress for his recent pipe-opener, Onemorefortheroad can step forward for Grade Two honours.