More joy for Skelton as Azzuri adds to already impressive tally

The 2015 Triumph Hurdle winner Peace And Co wasn't able to make it two from two over fences at Southwell on Sunday afternoon as Dan Skelton's Azzuri led from the outset and jumped economically on his chasing debut to score comfortably.

Peace And Co, sent off the 1-2 favourite, set the pulse racing from early on but for the wrong reasons as he dived at the third fence, an open ditch, giving rider Daryl Jacob a worrying moment.

Meanwhile, the trail-blazing Azzuri jumped neatly for David England, while Chieftain's Choice, who was also making his first start over fences, settled in third. Rank outsider The Society Man was soon outclassed as he trailed the four-runner field.

Turning for home, Azzuri, who was sent off a 4-1 shot, began to turn the screw and it was soon obvious Peace And Co had no answer as he emptied quickly in the home straight – he was found to have bled post race. Chieftain's Choice gave chase to take second, five lengths behind Azzuri who ran out an impressive winner.

Skelton has made a flying start to the jumps season and Azzuri's victory was the trainer's 39th of the campaign, while he is more than £60,000 clear in the jump trainers' championship.

Result and analysis