Lucinda Russell team continue in fine form with Rapid double

Monday: Ayr

Just two days after Ahoy Senor's brilliant Graded victory at Newbury, Lucinda Russell continued to reap success with a double back on home turf at Ayr.

Rapid Raider led home a one-two for the trainer in the 2m4½f handicap chase, with the seven-year-old thriving following a recent wind operation to pull clear alongside stablemate Destiny Is All, who was returning after a 501-day absence.

"We couldn't work out what was wrong with Rapid Raider at all [last season]," Russell said. "We sent him to Geoff Lane, one of the best wind surgeons there is, who said there was nothing there and thought surgery might not change things.

"Thankfully, it did set him right and made a magnificent difference. Even at home, he's just a happier horse now. I hate running two horses in the same race but it worked out today."

The promising Operation Overlord struck in his handicap debut under Derek Fox to complete the double, with Russell hoping to maintain her good run of fortune into the weekend when Scottish National winner Mighty Thunder runs in the Becher Chase.

Repeat for Richards

Famous Bridge scored in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings as he landed a game win for Nicky Richards and Brian Hughes in the 2m3½f novices' hurdle.

Famous Bridge and Brian Hughes claimed the 2m3½f novices' hurdle for Nicky RichardsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The five-year-old painted a familiar sight for Richards in this contest, with the trainer landing back-to-back successes in the race after Famous Bridge's half-brother Castle Rushen won in 2020 for the same jockey-owner combination.

Richards completed a double on the day as Gege Ville won the bumper, marking a first win under rules for conditional Conor Rabbitt.

Results, replays and analysis

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