Magic Saint swoops to set up Grand Annual tilt as Jacob lands a treble

It was the case of the one that got away for Daryl Jacob as he had to settle for second aboard Sceau Royal in the Kingwell Hurdle, but still managed to rack up a treble aboard Magic Saint, Atlanta Ablaze and Sandhurst Lad.

The switch back to two miles on a tight track proved the answer for Magic Saint as the well supported 11-10 favourite swooped past the pacesetting Gino Trail at the penultimate fence of the 1m7½f handicap chase and primed himself for a trip to the Cheltenham Festival.

Megan Nicholls, representing her trainer-father Paul, said: “He really needs a fast pace, which he got on this occasion, and he'll now have an entry, along with two or three other horses of ours, in the Grand Annual Chase at the festival next month.”