Thunder is lightning quick
● Russell’s mare wins comfortably at Ayr ● Party time for Richards’ Chateau Robin
Lucinda Russell continued her fine run of form when she saddled Aurora Thunder to land the Western House Hotel Mares Maiden Hurdle at Ayr Racecourse’s October Finale Raceday.
The five-year-old mare was sent off the 6-4 favourite and oozed confidence throughout after an assured ride from Blair Campbell to win by seven lengths from Elle Est Grande.
The Milnathort trainer said afterwards: “She’s a nice horse and the ground was just perfect for her. That was a good performance.”
Ian Duncan trains just six miles from Ayr at Coylton and he made the short trip pay off when Jessiemac (6-1) prevailed in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
Alexander Thorne gave the mare a lovely ride and she came on the outside to lead over the last and see off the challenge of Right down the middle, the 2-1 favourite.
The feature race of the afternoon, the Christmas Party Nights @ Ayr Racecourse Novices’ Handicap Chase, saw Chateau Robin, trained by Nicky Richards and ridden by Brian Hughes, win at the seventh attempt. The 7-4 favourite hit the front before the last fence and went on to win comfortably by two and three quarter lengths from Big Nasty.
Borders trainer Alistair Whillans landed the novices’ hurdle with Corrieben River, sent off at 10-1 and given a really strong ride by Craig Nichol.
The final contest, a national hunt Flat race, was won by Dusty’s Choice, the 9-4 joint favourite for trainer John Quinn and jockey Sean Bowen.
Meanwhile, Broken Spear, who was not beaten far into third at Catterick last time, can continue his recent renaissance on his return to the same track in the racingtv.com Handicap today. Tony Coyle’s runner seemingly relishes some proper cut in the ground, and conditions were suitably testing when he pitched up over five furlongs here earlier this month.
Racing off a mark of 86 – his lowest in over a year – Broken Spear just lacked an extra gear in the closing stages, being beaten under two lengths at the line. With the handicapper having left his rating unchanged, as well as easy ground, there is plenty in Broken Spear’s favour on today.
Gmasha is the pick in the Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Southwell. While she is bred to be better over further than the six furlongs she faces here, she showed she could at least handle the trip when fourth at the first attempt at Yarmouth. Heavy ground might not have suited her, so she is interesting tried on the all-weather.