'Fabulous' Royale Pagaille cut to 12-1 for Gold Cup after Haydock romp

Tom Scudamore described riding Royale Pagaille to victory in the Peter Marsh Chase as “a hell of a thrill” as the 11-5 favourite walloped his rivals in the testing conditions at Haydock.

Trained by Venetia Williams for owners Susannah and Rich Ricci, Royale Pagaille was slashed to 12-1 (from 25) for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, and to 7-2 (from 7) for the National Hunt Chase, by Betfair.

“That was very impressive and a hell of a thrill,” Scudamore said. “He’s jumped really well and all the way down the back straight I was getting there sooner than I liked, but he was going so well. He was fabulous.

“I’ll leave [plans] to Venetia and Rich Ricci but it was a pleasure to be allowed to ride him today.”

'What a horse he is' - Yala Enki survives blunder to land Taunton feature

Yala Enki survived a big scare to land back-to-back runnings of the Weatherbys Portman Cup at Taunton under Bryony Frost, but his owner is uncertain about whether to go for the Randox Health Grand National with the 11-year-old.

Third in the Welsh Grand National last time, Yala Enki looked to have the measure of his rivals before making a mistake at the fourth-last fence and forfeiting the lead to If The Cap Fits.

However, the 11-year-old battled back into contention and was able to overhaul If The Cap Fits at the final fence before taking the prize for Frost, Paul Nicholls and owner Clive Hitchings.

Betfair clipped Yala Enki to 33-1 (from 40) for the Grand National, but Hitchings said: “I’m not a keen Grand National person because of the large number of runners, but Paul’s very keen so we’ll see where we go. What a horse he is.”

Tom Cannon celebrates first winner for Nicky Henderson aboard Craigneiche

Tom Cannon rode a winner on his first ride for champion trainer Nicky Henderson when Craigneiche overcame a 375-day absence to score in the Grade 3 Matchbook Holloway’s Hurdle at Ascot.

Nico de Boinville had ridden Craigneiche on his previous three runs but with the rider engaged at Haydock, the ride came open with Jerry McGrath injured in a fall at Lingfield on Monday.

“If you’d have told me on Thursday morning that my only ride on Saturday would have been at Ascot for Nicky Henderson I wouldn’t have believed you,” Cannon said. “That’s just how the game goes sometimes.

“I’m sure Jerry would’ve ridden him but he didn’t go to Lingfield last week thinking he was going to end up getting injured on an all-weather card. That’s the ups and downs of the game.”

Craigneiche (red silks): Tom Cannon's first winner for Nicky HendersonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson's day got off to a bad start when Allart fell in the opening Grade 2 novice chase at Haydock, but the champion trainer had earlier expressed himself satisfied with the ground after a dramatic morning at the course.

Groundstaff had faced a race against time to get the frost covers up before the opener at 12.55 after snow fell through the morning, increasing the task of taking the covers off the entire course with snow sitting on top of them.

Speaking before the first race, Henderson said: "We're ready to go. I've been out on the course and it's wet. Buveur D'Air's got to run and they might slop through it actually. We'll let them go round in the first and see, but I've every intention of running them all."

However, Henderson then had to watch Allart, the hugely promising novice chaser who was sent off at odds-on, fall down the back straight, although the horse and his rider, Nico de Boinville, both appeared unscathed afterwards.

The race was won by Fergal O'Brien's Silver Hallmark under Welsh National-winning rider Adam Wedge.

Roksana halved in price to 6-1 for Mares' Hurdle after Ascot rout

Roksana produced a sublime performance to thrash her rivals in the Grade 2 Matchbook Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot, barely coming off the bridle to score under Harry Skelton for brother Dan.

Sent off the 8-15 favourite, Roksana never looked in danger and shot away from the opposition after the final hurdle in the manner of a far superior mare.

Harry Skelton said: "You need some patience to deal with her everyday but you don’t mind when they have the ability. She likes to pass horses and is a good traveller. She was a bit keen in the Long Walk and she settled better today. She feels as good as ever and is arguably at her best.

Roksana (left) jumps the last on the way to a clearcut Ascot success under Harry SkeltonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We’ll leave plans to Dan and Sarah, who owns her. All plans are open to her and from my view from riding her she feels the best she has ever done this year so that’s exciting."

Bookmakers were impressed, with Paddy Power and Betfair cutting her to 6-1 (from 12) for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. She is also 12-1 (from 14) for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

Tritonic catches the eye on hurdles debut

Tritonic halved in price to 12-1 (from 25) for the JCB Triumph Hurdle after a late surge gave him victory on his debut over hurdles at Ascot on Saturday.

Tritonic: made a successful hurdling debut at AscotCredit: Mark Cranham

Trained by Alan King for Max McNeill and Ian Dale, Tritonic stalked front-runner Casa Loupi before passing him in the closing stages to take victory by a length.

Previous winners of the 1m7½f contest include Balder Succes, Grandouet, Top Notch and Goshen, who was all set to score before unseating at the last in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle.

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