Gillies and Russell prove winning team with smooth Ascot triumph

Owner Sean Tracey said: “He was fifth in the Grand Annual and you’d imagine that would be the plan again. We thought two miles and three at Ascot might suit as he was just run off his feet over two miles at Aintree last time.”

Three promising members of Nicky Henderson’s development squad for this season also made their mark at Ascot on the eve of a huge afternoon for the Lambourn trainer.

Long Run and Oscar Whisky are set to reappear this weekend and the stable could hardly be in better shape in what is a traditionally strong month for Henderson, who fired in two more winners at Haydock in addition to the contributions made closer to home by Simonsig, Solix and Broadbackbob. It would be a misapprehension to suggest Simonsig was facing rivals of genuine quality in the Redstone “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle, but his ability to draw an effortless 11 lengths clear without any encouragement from jockey Barry Geraghty was undeniably impressive.

The striking grey had earned his position as 1-5 favourite after a strong spell point-to-pointing in Ireland, as well as when winning a good bumper at Fairyhouse for Ian Ferguson. He earned a quote of 12-1 from Coral and Betfred for the Neptune at Cheltenham.

“You can see by his starting price that we expected him to win,” said Henderson. “This is a very nice horse and we can potter about with him. You could look at the Challow Hurdle if you wanted to stay at two-and-a-half miles.”

Solix helped jockey and trainer secure the David & Toni Eyles Beginners’ Chase once again. The 4-5 favourite, who ran quite well in the totesport Trophy and Coral Cup last season, began to grow in confidence and steadily moved 12 lengths clear of Duke Of Lucca.

At Haydock, Mr Moonshine had Harvey Smith dreaming of future glories after an impressive display of front-running and jumping to win the Junior Betfair Novices’ Chase. Mr Moonshine, already a winner at three miles two furlongs over hurdles last season, was quick enough to dictate the pace at two-miles-six and come home ten lengths clear of Paul Nicholls’ Bold Addition in the £25,000 feature race.

David Moyes got his weekend off to a winning start as his Desert Cry took the opening Alvin Morris ‘Million in March’ Polyflor Sales Handicap Hurdle.

Everton manager Moyes, whose team return to Barclays Premier League action today at home to Wolves, was not in attendance to see the horse he owns in partnership carry Grand National-winning jockey Jason Maguire to his 51st victory of the season. But Moyes’ son David and his father were present to greet Maguire, making it two from two following his return only yesterday from three months out with a neck injury, in the winner’s enclosure.

Maguire, already successful at Hereford for Kim Bailey, was back on the board for his own trainer Donald McCain. The jockey got serious to keep the 11-2 shot a neck in front of the closing Little Hercules at the line.

McCain said of Maguire: “It’s good to have him back. He’s a big part of the set-up. The boys have done very well, but it’s great to have the stable jockey back.”