Conditions to suit for McCain runners as Bareback Jack and Armattiekan strike

Good ground was the key for Donald McCain's winners at Musselburgh as the Grand National-winning trainer kicked off the track's first jumps meeting of the season in style with a quickfire double in the opening two races.

Bareback Jack, making his first start for the trainer, cruised to victory in the 1m7½f novice hurdle before Armattiekan followed up in the 2m4½f novice handicap chase to record his first win at the 16th attempt for his owners Clwydian International.

Both horses were suited by decent ground and McCain explained: "Sometimes this time of year you’re scrambling around to find a suitable bit of ground somewhere and Musselburgh is one of the places you can generally rely on for fair ground."