Court Minstrel in tune with Champion Hurdle triumph

THERE was a Welsh triumph in the shape of the Evan Williams-trained Court Minstrel (4-1) in the QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr on Saturday.

Conditional Adam Wedge, deputising for suspended stable jockey Paul Moloney, produced Court Minstrel at the final flight and the pair scooted away to win by two and a quarter lengths from Sametegal. Williams said: “If he did run again before next winter the race would probably be the Galway Hurdle. That would be the right race for him.”

Rajdhani Express (3-1) capitalised on the last-fence exit of Changing Times to lift the Arcadia Consulting William Dickie & Mary Robertson Future Champion Novices’ Chase. Sam Twiston-Davies gave Changing Times a strong chance but the pair parted company, leaving Nicky Henderson’s charge to win by 15 lengths from Tap Night. However, amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen picked up a two-day ban for using his whip when clearly winning.

Tom Scudamore was taken to hospital after a fall from Problema Tic in the big race, but had earlier partnered Conquisto (5-1) to a smooth success in the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase. The Steve Gollings-trained gelding led at the second-last and powered away to win by six lengths from His Excellency.

Berwickshire trainer Sandy Thomson enjoyed his biggest success when Netminder (12-1) came home an 11-length winner of the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Thomson said: “It was only two weeks ago we were still clearing snow off the gallops. I thought we were a bit behind but this horse was suited by the way he was ridden. Peter [Buchanan] gave him a great ride.”

Orsippus (18-1) won over jumps for the first time in three years when landing the Ayrshire Hospice Making Today Matter Handicap Hurdle.