FIFE trainer Nick Alexander was the man in form at Ayr Racecourse last Wednesday.

He saddled a double courtesy of Another Mattie and Calivigny.

The former, sent off at 9/1 in the two mile five furlong handicap hurdle and ridden by Brian Harding, was winning for the first time under rules on his 22nd start and crossed the line 10 lengths in front of nearest challenger Tantamount.

It was a win which delighted the trainer and he was back in the winners enclosure later in the afternoon with Calivigny (15/8 fav) in the three mile handicap hurdle.

The horse had won at Ayr 16 days ago for the same jockey Stephen Mulqueen, who rode a very confident race.

Nick would have landed his first ever treble but for a fall at the last by Frankie’s Promise, ridden by Brian Harding in the two mile four furlongs handicap chase.

The seven-year-old gelding was clear when hitting the top of the obstacle sending his rider crashing to the ground. That left What A Dream (3/1) to land his second course win in 11 days for trainer Alison Hamilton and her nephew Jamie.

But Harding had better luck in the last race when he piloted My Little Cracker (10/1) to win the national hunt flat race for trainer Iain Jardine and Borders based owners Paul and Clare Rooney.

Lucinda Russell kept up her fine run of form by saddling Final Assault (15/8 fav) to win the feature race, the three mile handicap chase, in the hands of Derek Fox.

Lucinda said afterwards : “It was a step up in trip for the horse and he did it well. He’s one of the best jumpers in the yard and we’ll look at the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle for him later in the month.”

Ayr’s next meeting is Christmas Party Raceday on Monday December 21. For more details on racing at Ayr call 01292 264179 or go online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk.