Jacob storms to 58-1 hat-trick as all three mounts score at Ayr

Daryl Jacob was in sparkling form at Ayr when winning on all three mounts to complete a near 58-1 hat-trick in the colours of owners Simon Munir and Issac Souede.

Largy Shark, Carnfunnock and Gold Cup Bailly were all trained by Stuart Crawford, who went on to record a fourtimerwithstephenconnor-riddenlargyvalleyintheconcluding bumper.

Jacob said: “I’d say these were all nice young horses with very bright futures. Carnfunnock was great on his hurdling debut and we’ ve always thought a lot of him–he’ ll probably step up and go for a nice race now.

“I won on Gold Cup Bailly when he had his chasing debut at Wexford and he’s jumped great again today. He should keep improving but we’ll try and take it one step at a time with him.”

A proper gamble was landed with Ross Chapman on board L is lo ran in the virgin bet handicap Chase to give Con set t-based Russell Ross his first winner with a permit.

Sent off 100-30 second favourite, the County Durham rider had been available at 66-1 the previous night before his half-length success over Ardera Cross. Chapman said: “I’m delighted to win with him but it wasn’t my money. I won the Heart Of All England Hunters’ Chase a few years ago when I just had a point to point licence and I’ve only got two horses in training at the moment.”

Nick Alexander flew the flag for Scotland when Charm Offensive registered her third course victory under Bruce Lynn in the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle.

At Haydock today, Ballygrifincottage can make a successful start to his career over regulation fences in the Jewson St Helens Novices' Chase.

As a multiple point-to-point winner in Ireland, chasing was always likely to be the sevenyear-old's game, so it is credit to his latent ability that he managed to do so well over hurdles last term. The Stowaway gelding was thrown in at the deep end on his Rules debut at Cheltenham last December, but ran a fine race in Grade Two company to finish third.

Ballygrifin cottage went on to open his account on the Winter Million card at Lingfield in January and rounded off his campaign with a fair fourth in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.

With testing conditions expected to suit, he can provide Dan and Harry Skelton – riding the crest of a wave after winning the Betfair Chase and Coral Gold Cup the last two Saturdays – with another success.