Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
LUCINDA RUSSELL was all smiles after Derek Fox-ridden Green Vault landed the feature race at Ayr on Wednesday.
Sent off 4-6 favourite and running for just the second time over fences, he trounced Clan Legend by six-lengths in the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase, a Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier.
Russell said: “It didn’t look too promising on the far side but he’s really zipped over those fences in the home straight. Even though he’s not the biggest, he might just still keep progressing as a chaser.”
Russell and Fox had earlier teamed up to take the opening Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle with ex-point to pointer Step Above, who was sent off at 12-1.
“We bought a lot of young horses during the summer and I think they’ve all won,” Russell added. “He’s owned by a group called One Step Beyond as they are all Madness fans.”
Stuart and Sam Coltherd teamed up to win the Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase with Grand Voyage.
“He was pretty good today as that was just his second start in a chase,” said Sam Coltherd after the top-weight beat Lord Rocc by a length and a half. “He should stay further but I think we will keep him to 2m 4f for the time being.”