'It's been a very good day' - Wakool headlines 77-1 treble for Nick Alexander
Saturday: Ayr
Nick Alexander has fond memories of Ayr having landed a five-timer in March and the trainer again frequented the winner's enclosure, this time with a hat-trick courtesy of three greys.
The 77-1 treble was headlined by an impressive performance from Wakool, who strode clear under a motionless Conor O'Farrell to record an eased-down victory by one and three-quarter lengths.
"It was a very good performance because he ran as well off this higher mark as he had done when we won here in January [off 11lb lower], so it was great," Alexander said.
"We had wondered whether the handicapper was on top of him, but he hasn't yet. I'd hope that he could win again – and he should win again after that performance – but he's going to have to go up in grade."
Alexander campaigned Wakool solely in Scotland last season, but he said a Pertemps Final qualifier might be an option.
"There are some nice staying handicap options; you would think maybe a Pertemps qualifier or something like that. I wouldn't necessarily say he would be a Pertemps final horse, but there's some qualifiers with some nice prize-money," Alexander added.
"It's a great time of season to have a horse in good form because he's got masses of options."
Alexander landed three races in a row as Wakool was followed in the next two by a pair of half-brothers.
Elvis Mail obliged first in the 2m4½f Class 3 handicap chase under Bruce Lynn, who was completing his double after guiding Sputnik to victory in the Class 4 handicap chase over the same trip earlier on the card.
The hat-trick was finished by Ginger Mail in the 2m handicap hurdle under Danny McMenamin, giving the trainer three wins, for three different owners and under three different jockeys.
Alexander added: "It's been a very good day."
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