Dan Skelton hits back in enthralling title race with Willie Mullins as Jeffery’s Cross scores at Ludlow

When the stories come to be told of the 2024-25 jump trainers’ title race there is unlikely to be much time spent on the Rees Jones 1619 Open Hunters’ Chase.

However, on a day when his nose was bloodied again by Willie Mullins landing a big-race double at Perth, Dan Skelton continued to sucker punch in the lower-grade races, with Jeffery’s Cross doing his bit – and earning £3,387.78 in prize-money in the process.

In keeping with Skelton’s runners in the dying days of the season, Jeffery’s Cross seemed to grow for the occasion, surpassing his previous form to stretch clear in the closing stages to win by four lengths under jockey Sean O’Connor.

O’Connor will have a further opportunity to add to Skelton’s prize-money tally on Thursday when he rides Sail Away, who was unfortunate to be unseated at the first in the Scottish Grand National, for the trainer in the 3m handicap chase at Bangor.

Longsdon and O'Brien move closer to half-century

Paul O’Brien rode his 49th winner for trainer Charlie Longsdon when partnering Almazhar Garde to victory in the 3m handicap chase.

Among those victories for the duo were Castafiore in the 2019 Grade 2 Altcar Novices' Chase at Haydock, while Almazhar Garde has contributed two wins to O’Brien’s best-ever tally of 52 winners this season.

Longsdon said: "Almazhar Garde has been a fantastic horse for us and Paul's always got on really well with him. He'll run through the summer and hopefully he can pick up another win, or two.

"Paul's been with the yard for a long time and has always been a massive team player. He's got a great job with Harry Derham now, but he continues to be a huge help to us and he's just a great guy."

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