Welcome win for Lewis
Owner Jim Lewis had to endure the heartbreak of seeing his triple Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Best Mate collapse and die at Exeter last week.
But he was back among the winners at Ludlow as Tuesday’s Child carried his famous colours to success in the Arrow Novices’ Handicap Chase.
“You have got to go on,” Lewis said.
“I have done my grieving and I have my memories about Best Mate, but you have to carry on.”
Given an excellent ride by Timmy Murphy, Tuesday’s Child took the lead three fences from home and seemed to be going away.
Nayodabayo was making a serious challenge approaching the final fence when he took a tumble, leaving Tuesday’s Child to come home by a comfortable four lengths.
Terry Biddlecombe, representing his wife and trainer Henrietta Knight, said: “That was good for Jim and just what he needed.
“Tuesday’s Child only slipped up at Cheltenham on his chasing debut and jumped all the other fences with the rest of the pack.
“We knew his confidence had not been affected.”
Another to benefit from a last-fence blunder was Luneray (9-4 favourite) in the Corve Handicap Chase but even then she almost threw it away.
Russian Gigolo looked to have the race in safe keeping until he made a terrible error and allowed Luneray and Christian Williams to go into the lead.
However, Russian Gigolo was making rapid headway and was beaten only by a short head.
Georgie Browne, representing trainer Paul Nicholls, said: “The mistake by the runner-up actually did not help. Luneray is not straightforward and she tends to stop when her nose gets in front.
“But that win is overdue as she was unlucky at Cheltenham last time when she slipped up.”
Menchikov justified even-money favouritism in the EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) but he needed plenty of assistance from Marcus Foley to get the better of outsider Billyandi.
The winning margin was a length but the Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old only got the better of his opponent in the last 50 yards.
Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, said: “He clattered some of the fences and Marcus said his last jump was his best.
“I thought they had quickened away from him at halfway and he looks a horse that needs two and half miles plus. All he lacks is experience and we will look for another race for him like this.”
Former Martin Pipe inmate Auetaler produced a successful winning raid for Irish trainer Eric McNamara.
The 7-1 chance put up a fine display of jumping to claim the Teme Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Hurdle with two lengths to spare from My Sharp Grey.
Auetaler’s victory also earned McNamara his maiden success at Ludlow on his first visit to the Shropshire venue.
“I have had the horse for two years but he is not as good as he used to be,” said McNamara.
“We ran out of options for him in Ireland and we have been looking in England for a suitable race.
“We thought the better ground and flat track at Ludlow would suit him.”
McNamara was denied a back-to-back double as Moscow Summit had to make do with second place behind 50-1 shot Jug Of Punch in the Sponsor At Ludlow Handicap Hurdle.
The runner-up had been travelling well turning for home but was collared after the last by the Patrick Stringer-ridden six-year-old, who was ending a barren spell for trainer Simon Lewis.
Air Guitar (15-2) hit the right note in the Severn Maiden Hurdle. Leading at the fifth flight, he galloped away from his rivals to give Newmarket-based Mick Quinlan a success.
Nigel Twiston-Davies saddled the runner-up in three consecutive races but a day of disappointment turned better when his 16-1 shot The Hollow Bottom won the closing Vyrnwy Intermediate National Hunt Flat Race.
