Smart bumper mare Ruby Island impresses on hurdling debut

Thursday: Ayr

Ruby Island was fourth in Listed company behind leading Champion Bumper hope Queens Gamble at Cheltenham last month and Mark Walford’s mare built upon that promising run to record a comfortable success in the 2m maiden hurdle.

The five-year-old, who also won a bumper at Hexham in March, quickened up nicely under Jamie Hamilton in the straight to score on her hurdling debut by seven and a half lengths.

Walford said: "Her bumper form was really good, I thought she had some of the best form coming into the race so I think she was entitled to go very close today.

"She has plenty of stamina, we’ll probably stick to two miles for the moment but she will go a little bit further if we want."

Although proving herself more than capable against the boys, Ruby Island could next be seen against her own sex with up to £20,000 in bonus prize money available for some British-bred mares as part of the Great British Bonus series.

Walford said: "She’s in that GBB bonus scheme so if she can win a little mares’ novice somewhere, it’s double the bonus for mares’ races so we might just look for something like that."

Choosethenews: completes doubles for Hamilton and Mark WalfordCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Choosethenews bolted up in a Garthorpe point-to-point in April and made a winning rules debut in the 2m5½f novice hurdle to complete a double for Hamilton and Walford.

Lisloran gets up late

Lisloran, who provided trainer Russell Ross with his first winner when landing a gamble at the track last month, rallied under Ross Chapman in the 2m4½f handicap chase to secure back-to-back wins.

Results, replays and analysis

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