Charlie scores big with his debut ride Jockey makes his mark in Champion Hurdle Trial
J o c k e y C h a r l i e Hammond will always have fond memories of Ayr Racecourse as his very first ride there on Saturday provided him with a big race winner.
Charlie rode Le Patriote for trainer Dr Richard Newland to win the feature race of the day, the Tennent’s Cup Scottish Champion Hurdle trial.
The well backed 5- 4 favourite wore down Chti Balko on the run in to clinch the £ 40,000 race.
The star of Saturday’s show was undoubtedly trainer Nicky Richards who saddled a 44- 1 treble with Blakerigg, Takingrisks and Ribble Valley.
The first named, a lightly raced seven year- old, was having his first run since a wind operation and having been heavily gambled for the Gordon’s Pink Gin Handicap beforehand was sent off 11- 4 favourite and won as a favourite should.
Brian Hughes was always looking confident and he went clear three out and won by six lengths from Instingtive.
The highly promising stable conditional jockey, Danny McMenamin, was on board Nicky’s next two winners.
Takingrisks overcame a slight mistake at the last to win the Schweppes 1783 Handicap Hurdle by half a length from Justatenner.
And the third and final leg of the treble came up in the bumper when Ribble Valley, given a superb waiting ride from young McMenamin, justified 2- 1 favouritism to win cosily on his racecourse debut.
There was a short priced winner in the opening race when Sassy Diva, a 1- 3 shot, came home seven lengths clear of Peter’s Cousin.
The Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree next month is the target for Lucinda Russell’s Forest Des Aigles who won the Johnnie Walker Handicap Chase in the hands of Derek Fox.
His owner Raymond Anderson Green commented: “We’ve always thought the world of this horse but thought he might need the run today.”
Ayr ’ s next meeting is November Raceday on Wednesday, November 14.
The seven race card is due off at 12.35pm with a 2m 3f handicap hurdle while the feature race, the Book Now For The Ayrshire Wedding Show handicap chase over three miles, gets under way at 3.20pm.
This race was won last year by Catamaran Du Seuil from the Dr Richard Newland yard, ridden by Brian Hughes.