Hales rewarded as Big Jim lands the spoils at Warwick

The Trafford Bridge handler also saddled Scooter Boy to land the spoils at Huntingdon on Friday.

But it was the victory of Big Jim at Warwick the following day which would have given Hales more satisfaction as he moved on to six winners for the campaign.

Kielan Woods partnered the seven-year-old to win Saturday’s race and was also on board Scooter Boy the previous day, guiding the seven-year-old to win the 32Red EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Fellow Edgcote trainer Ben Case would have been delighted with the victory of Bebinn at Plumpton on Monday. Daryl Jacob partnered the nine-year-old to win the EPDS Racing Welfare BTQ Series Handicap Chase.

In the AGA Ladies Open 16 have been entered and Hannah Watson and Ballyjames will be bidding for a repeat of last year’s success, while Moscow Blaze – hot favourite when fourth last year – will be out to regain the trophy.

Henrietta Knight has entered Ballypatrick in this race and the men’s open but the former Gold Cup winning trainer advised: “He wants good ground and is more likely to run in the Ladies Open. I won’t decide if he runs until I’ve walked the course.”

The feature race of the day is the Savills Mens Open for the Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup, run over the extended distance of 3m 6½f.

Last year it was won by Say No – trained by James Henderson – who will be bidding to retain the trophy with Oliver James. He will need to improve on his Whitfield Intermediate win to beat Sheila Crow’s Connie’s Cross the form pick of the 19 entries who came second to Lord Fingal in the Champion Novices Hunter Chase at Stratford and who should appreciate both the trip and course.

First race is 12pm and entry at Cocklebarrow, which is situated between Stow-on-the-Wold and Northleach, is £20 per car and £10 for single occupancy.