'I thought I’d used all of my luck up yesterday!' - Magna Sam wins second Edinburgh National for in-form Alastair Ralph

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Magna Sam recorded his first success since winning the same race in 2023 when landing the Edinburgh National to complete a perfect weekend in Scotland for trainer Alastair Ralph.

Welsh Charger won the track’s Scottish County Hurdle on Saturday for Ralph, whose only other runner at the Cheltenham Trials two-day meeting was Magna Sam in the feature 3m7½f handicap chase.

The 11-year-old, fitted with cheekpieces and ridden by Brendan Powell for the first time, scored by nine and a half lengths over John McConnell’s Bodhisattva.

Ralph’s runners, who made the 600-mile round trip from his Shropshire yard, earned just shy of £55,000 in prize-money in the 164-1 double.

“I thought I’d used all of my luck up yesterday!” said the trainer. 

Magna Sam had been pulled up in three consecutive starts, including in this race last year, before undergoing wind surgery in October.

Competing off a 6lb lower mark than when successful in this contest two years ago on his first start for Ralph after joining from Sophie Leech, the 10-1 shot built on his reappearance third at Doncaster to bring up his fourth course victory.

“It’s really nice to get him back,” said Ralph. He had some issues last season, we were just missing something. We did it [his wind] after his break and obviously it’s showing dividends now.

“He had a little blow at the back of two out at Doncaster and it was a nice confidence-booster for him.”

Last year’s Scottish Grand National runner-up Surrey Quest stayed on to be third behind Magna Sam, and he will be aimed at that Ayr race again in April.

Flyer shortens for Supreme 

Tripoli Flyer was cut to 25-1 (from 66) for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with the race’s sponsor after following up his Market Rasen success from November.

Tripoli Flyer wins under Johnny BurkeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Johnny Burke-ridden winner of the 1m7½f novice hurdle is 40-1 with most firms for the Cheltenham Festival opener, and trainer Fergal O’Brien indicated the six-year-old will likely take his chance next month despite his preference for right-handed tracks.

Fitting winner

Insurrection got off the mark over fences at the fourth attempt under Harry Cobden in the 2m4½f novice handicap chase named after his trainer Paul Nicholls’ former King George winner Frodon.

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