'It's lovely to have another winner for the Megsons' - Magical Annie strikes over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien

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Four days after striking with promising newcomer Blue Betty at Newcastle, Fergal O'Brien, Kielan Woods and the Megsons plundered another prize in the north when Magical Annie turned over the odds-on Metkayina in the opening mares' novice hurdle.

The six-year-old was scoring on just her second run over hurdles after a sighter at the same track in November, and she scooted up the stands' rail to score at odds of 11-2.

After the victory, O'Brien paid tribute to his daughter and conditional jockey Fern, who he claimed was key to the success. 

"I know she's my daughter, but Fern had done a fantastic job with this mare," the trainer said. "She was very highly strung when she came to us and Fern rides her all the time. I’m really pleased with that and it's lovely to have another winner for the Megsons."

The Megsons have had three winners in a row, kicked off by Sixmilebridge's Grade 2 success at Cheltenham, and Andrew Megson said: "We don't want to think about that, the minute you think about it bad luck will come and something will go wrong."

Skelton double

Dan Skelton enjoyed a double from contrasting ends of the market, kicked off when 33-1 chance Real Stone made all the running in the 2m3½f handicap chase under Tristan Durrell.

The yard secured a double when favourite Jet Plane made his first start in the hunter chase sphere a winning one with a similar display in the 3m contest named in honour of Peter Beaumont.

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