Luninda and Nicky Double Tops at Ayr

04 January 2012

Day one on Monday went ahead but Tuesday was called off due to high winds endangering the safety of staff in the Race Tech truck responsible for beaming pictures and sound from the course.

Monday's action saw doubles for trainers Lucinda Russell and Nicky Richards and jockeys Peter Buchanan and Dougie Costello.

Lucinda won the opening race, the European Breeders' Fund National Hunt Novices Hurdle, with Nuts N Bolts (5/4) left clear at the final fence after the favourite Super Duty (8/11) fell to come home by 13 lengths from Higgs Boson.

The Perth trainer had to wait until the final race to complete her double with Knockando (7/1) in the Best Odds Guaranteed At Victor Chandler Novices Handicap Hurdle. Both horses were ridden by stable jockey Peter Buchanan.

The well backed Getting Ready (13/8) landed the victorchandler.com Maiden Hurdle under Dougie Costello in the black and white silks made famous by Monet's Garden for Nicky Richards who followed up with Dowd's Destiny (11/10 fav), also ridden by Costello un the Beginners Chase.

Jim Goldie saddled Bene Lad (2/1 fav) to win the Bet Mobile At victorchandler.com Handicap Chase under a positive Richie McGrath ride and a similar front running performance earned Teenage Idol (9/4)  the Bet Live At victorchandler.com Handicap Hurdle for trainer Evelyn Slack and her granddaughter jockey Emma Sayer.