Jason Maguire lit up a muddy and miserable day at Haydock when galloping to a century of winners for the season with a treble for trainer Donald McCain.

Ballybriggan (5-1), She Ranks Me (85-40) and Desert Cry (3-1 favourite) struck at the combined odds of 74-1 to give Maguire good reason to celebrate at Christmas as he duels with Richard Johnson for second place in the jump jockeys' championship behind Tony McCoy.

The Maguire/McCain magic began with Ballybriggan, who overcame an absence of 595 days to win the Enough Said Just Bet At bluesq.com Handicap Hurdle. The eight-year-old overpowered the pacesetting Swiss Art just over a furlong out to score by two and a half lengths.

She Ranks Me brought up the 100th winner for Maguire when she ploughed through the mud to strike by five lengths from Little Glenshee in the Bet At bluesq.com Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

McCain said: "I wasn't convinced she'd go on the ground, but she has handled it well. She will have really enjoyed that because she has had some hard races so far. She has won two Listed races now so she has done her job and I suppose she will end up at Cheltenham.

"I'm surprised Jason doesn't get used more (by other trainers), but I suppose that's good for me."

Desert Cry capped a memorable day for the top combo as he swept to a 10-length verdict over Kudu Country in the Bet At bluesq.com Handicap Chase.

Colin Tizzard's decision not to wait for Thursday's Coral Welsh National paid dividends when Cannington Brook (9-2) repeated last year's victory in the Tommy Whittle Chase.

The Dorset trainer felt the three-mile handicap was winnable but it was a close call as Merry King fought all the way to the line in the extremely testing ground. There was just a nose in it as Cannington Brook edged out Jonjo O'Neill's runner in the hands of Tom O'Brien. The pair pulled 14 lengths clear.

O'Brien said: "He was going to go for the Welsh National but he loves the track here, and he probably doesn't really want three miles five, although I'm sure he would stay. He's not slow, though. I wasn't sure if I'd held on, he idled a bit with me in it last year and he's done the same again."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests