Gamble landed! Trainer saddles first winner backed from 66-1 to 100-30

Tuesday: Ayr

There was a remarkable winner at Ayr on Tuesday when Lisloran gave trainer Russell Ross his first winner under rules in the 2m4½f handicap chase (2.40), having been backed from 66-1 to 100-30.

The six-year-old, who ran in his trainer's blue quartered silks and red cap, had been 66-1 as late as 9.17am on Tuesday morning according to Paddy Power. He opened up a 12-1 chance on course and touched 16-1 before going off at 100-30. He went on to score by half a length in the hands of Ross Chapman after a sustained battle with the runner-up Ardera Cross.

Ross, meanwhile, said he was unaware of the plunge. He told Racing TV: "I don't know where the hell that's come from [the money]. But definitely not from me – I wish it was!"

Russell Ross: 'I'm a farrier, that's what I do for a living and we've had point to pointers forever and a day really'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A point-to-point trainer based in Consett, County Durham, Ross has just two horses in training and had failed to saddle a winner in 63 attempts under rules since taking out a licence in 2015-16.

He said: "It's brilliant and we're over the moon with that. I'm a farrier, that's what I do for a living and we've had point to pointers forever and a day really.

"Ross is my nephew and when he went professional I just took a permit out so we could still have one or two that he could ride. So, it's just a bit of fun really."

Lisloran is a half-brother to the 142-rated Kissesforkatie but had shown little in five starts under rules, being beaten a combined distance of 189 lengths. He was the seventh and final finisher on his most recent start over the same course and distance last month, finishing 45 lengths behind the winner Tfou.

Bookmakers were relieved to have dodged a bullet, having been quick to cut Lisloran from 66-1 on Tuesday morning, with most of the money coming at much shorter prices.

"We saw a few bets at 66-1," said Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield, "but we didn't really get affected by the bigger prices. We did lay the horse a bit on the show at 14-1 and 12-1, although it was nothing out of the ordinary."

How the finish at Ayr unfolded

20-1 shot Ardera Cross leads Lisloran over the last in the 2m4½f handicap chase at AyrCredit: Racing TV

Lisloran, who was sent off at 100-30, edges closer as the pair approach the winning lineCredit: Racing TV

Lisloran, unsuccessful in five starts under rules, gains the upper hand for Ross ChapmanCredit: Racing TV

Lisloran is half a length clear at the line and gives his trainer Russell Ross a first winnerCredit: Racing TV

Lisloran: the in-running comment

In touch with leaders, not fluent 9th, not fluent 5 out, headway 4 out, soon went second, pushed along and led narrowly after 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed last, stayed on and led again towards finish (op 12-1, tchd 16-1)

Watch the replay of Lisloran winning at Ayr

Crawford cleans up

Stuart Crawford broke new ground as he notched his first career four-timer with the victories of Largy Shark, Carnfunnock, Gold Cup Bailly and Largy Valley at combined odds of 314-1.

The County Antrim-based trainer, speaking from Punchestown, said: "I'd never even had a treble before, so to do this is fabulous and it's thanks to all my hard-working staff.

"I was quite hopeful that the first three would win but Largy Valley was a little unexpected and that was the icing on the cake.

"I like sending runners to Ayr – it's almost our closest track by road, although it's across an expanse of water – and this is a special day."

Crawford's first three winners were all partnered by Daryl Jacob, wearing the colours of leading owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, and Stephen Connor was in the saddle on bumper winner Largy Valley.

Carnfunnock was the pick of the bunch and hinted at a bright future as he gained a smooth success at odds of 1-5 in the 2m novice hurdle on his jumping debut.

"We like this horse a lot and his bumper form was excellent going into this race," said Crawford. "We'll be looking at some quality races but we'll be taking our time with him."

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