Arthur Moore was hoping that Klairon Davis would provide him with his first training success at Sandown by winning the Tingle Creek Trophy on Saturday, but the eight-year-old could only manage fourth place. The Naas trainer, however, claimed a valuable consolation prize when Major Jamie took the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.
The 25 to 1 chance, ridden by 18-year-old Ruby Walsh, won a ferocious battle with Nahrawali and then survived a stewards' inquiry, despite giving the runner-up a hefty bump on the run in.
"I have to say that if Klairon Davis wasn't here this horse wouldn't have run. But this race fitted in nicely and it was Ruby's first ride for me," said Moore.
"I was looking forward to having my first winner here with Klairon Davis - I've won at all the other major jumping tracks - but his jumping let him down. I think he was a bit mesmerised."
Ask Tom leapt to Queen Mother Champion Chase favouritism after accounting for Viking Flagship in a thrilling duel. Last year's Cheltenham Festival runner-up underlined his credentials for top honours this season with his biggest victory yet in the £53,000 contest.
Making virtually all the running, he shook off all his rivals bar Viking Flagship, running in the race for the fourth time, by the last and battled up the run in to triumph by a head.
At Musselburgh today Weather Wise looks set to win the Prestonpans Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle for trainer Bill Turner.
Stable conditional John Power takes the mount aboard the five-year-old, who appeared to show improvement at Fontwell on Wednesday when scoring by four lengths form Sexton's Mirror.
Turner revealed after the race that Weather Wise had been suffering from a catalogue of medical problems and was racing for the first time with his tongue tied down.
Presumably, an identical plan will be employed today and, although he will find the Edinburgh track a good deal faster than the surface he encountered in Sussex, he should appreciate this step up in trip and can beat what amounts to a modest bunch.
Mister Ross will benefit from a lowering of his sights for the Wee Jimmy Mitchell Handicap Chase.
