Alexander cannot watch as Elvis Mail wins with daughter on board
Fife trainer Nick Alexander elected to find a quiet spot at A yr yesterday and listen to the commentary on the day’s feature race, the William Hill Extra Places Everyday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, instead of watching his rising star, Elvis Mail, romp to victor y with his daughter, Lucy, riding.
Despite a very sketchy round of jumping, the six year-old, a 9-4 chance, showed a terrific turn of foot to lead two out and reserved his best jump for the last fence and won easing down by two lengths from See more lights.
Alexander said :” I just couldn’t watch but I will sit down tonight and catch up on the replay.
"That was a good per forman cede spite some dodgy jumping. He will have to improve that part of his game as he will be competing in good quality races this season.
"He gave weight to is three opponents out there today and I’m very excited about his prospects.”
Another horse set for a good season chasing is the Gillian Boan as-trained Crixus’s Escape, 6-1, who was impressive in winning the William Hill Racing Radio Handicap Chase under jockey Sean Quinlan.
Ridden handily throughout the testing three-mile trip, the seven-year-old gelding raced clear approaching the last but stumbled after clearing the fence before running on to win by a length and a quarter from Bigiron on his hip.
Luci nd a Russell’ s Aurora Thunder was successful for the second time at the track in
the mares’ handicap hurdle at generous odds of 8-1 with Blair Campbell riding and this horse looks well handicapped to go on and win more races.
Trainer Kim Bailey and jockey David Bass had only the one runner on the day but made it a winning one when Those Tiger Feet, sent off the 2-1 favourite, landed the opening two mile three and a half furlongs handicap hurdle by three and three quarter lengths from Gold Runner.
Meanwhile, at Ludlow today, Three under th ru five can take advantage of an easier task than he would have faced at Cheltenham by landing Ludlow's Shukers Introductory Hurdle.
Paul Nichol ls had also entered his charge for a Grade Two heat on the first day of the Open meeting, but it perhaps makes sense to aim at a less competitive event at this stage with a horse who is full of promise.
The five-year-old was not a cheap purchase at 120,000 euros back in 2018 - and while he was well beaten on his initial bumper start last term, a second run proved just the ticket as he edged home in tough conditions at Chepstow back in January. He ran around under pressure that day but showed the exp eri - ence was not lost when making a professional start to his hurdles career with the verdict at Lingfield last month.