Ayr treble continues Russell run

Blenheim Brook played a starring role as part of a magnificent treble for trainer Lucinda Russell at Ayr yesterday.

The Milnathort-based handler is enjoying another excellent season and has made a particularly fine start to February, with this hat-trick following on from a double at Newcastle last week.

Of the three scorers, Blenheim Brook was the class act as he secured his second victory over fences with a fine performance in the Best Odds At BetVictor.com Novices’ Chase. The 7-2 chance has yet to finish outside the first two since tackling fences and he was facing evens favourite Lie Forrit for the second time this season having come off second best when the pair clashed at Kelso in December.

But it was a different story this time around, with Blenheim Brook always travelling the better of the pair under Peter Buchanan and he quickened clear between the final two fences. In typical Lie Forrit style, he came back tenaciously on the run-in, but Russell’s charge had a length and a quarter in hand passing the post.

“Our horse has obviously improved a lot since Kelso. I still think Lie Forrit is a pretty good horse and there isn’t a lot between them,” said Russell. “Blenheim Brook is really establishing himself as a stayer and after seeing him do that today, I think we’ll go for the four-miler [National Hunt Chase] at Cheltenham.

“Ideally he’d like softer ground but you’d hope he’d handle it all right over that trip. The horses are running well, but us trainers are never happy. We’ve had a double and a treble at the last couple of meetings, but I’d prefer four or five winners!”

Lucia Bay kicked off the treble in the opening BetVictor.com Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The 6-4 shot had the measure of market leader Mae’s Choice from the turn for home and although she fluffed her lines at the third last, she was soon back on the bridle and eased to a three-and-three-quarter-length win under Campbell Gillies.

“She gave us a bit of a fright at the third last but I’m really pleased with her and she seems to be progressing, which is great,” Russell continued.

Russell and Buchanan completed a fine day’s work as Quacity (13-2) beat his rivals comprehensively in the Watch Live Racing At BetVictor.com Novices’ Handicap Chase.

“That will have done his confidence good,” the trainer added. “He’s a big, strong horse and he barges his way through his obstacles a bit, but he’s a nice novice chaser.”

Mister Marker (100-30) and Dougie Costello edged out Posh Bird in a thrilling finish to the Play Casino At BetVictor.com Handicap Chase.

Not many northern meetings go by without Donald McCain finding the target and there was plenty to like about the victory of his Sydney Paget in the Bet Mobile At BetVictor.com Novices’ Hurdle. The five-year-old was beaten for the first time under Rules at Haydock in December, but had no trouble regaining the winning thread as the 1-2 favourite, easing clear under minimum pressure from Jason Maguire.

See The Legend had to survive an anxious moment before being named the winner of the BetVictor.com Handicap Hurdle. The 6-1 chance brushed Ancient Times on the run to the line and although there was only a short-head in it at the line, the result stood.