John Ferguson saddled his first Grade One winner as a trainer when Ruacana benefited from the last-flight fall of Swnymor in the coral.co.uk Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow.

Tim Vaughan's Swnymor had travelled best throughout for Richard Johnson and had just got the better of Megalypos approaching the final flight when he took a crashing fall, interfering with the Nicky Henderson runner.

That enabled Ruacana (100-30), formerly trained by Michael Bell on the level, to take full advantage and hold off the fast-finishing favourite Caid Du Berlais.

Ferguson is better known as Sheikh Mohammed's long-standing bloodstock advisor but has enjoyed a good deal of success since taking out a licence to train a small team of jumpers, many of whom were useful on the Flat.

The handler said: "He was consistent for Michael Bell and it was very kind of his owner to lease him to Bloomfields (Stud, in whose colours the winner ran).

"On his Flat form I had a strong feeling he would go in the ground and I thought Denis (O'Regan) gave him a smashing ride - although we did have a bit of luck on our side.

"We'll get him home and then decide what we do next. Obviously everyone wants to have runners at Cheltenham, but there's no point just going there for the sake of it and we'll see how things pan out."

Coral make the winner 16-1 for the Triumph Hurdle, with the unlucky Swnymor 12-1.

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