THE future could be bright for some of the winning horses at Ayr Racecourse’s New Year Raceday ON January 2 with some eye catching performances on show.writes Iain Ferguson.

And the best was saved till last when Champagnesuperover, owned by the Mcneill Family and Patrick and Scott Bryceland and trained by Olly Murphy, romped clear in the National Hunt Flat Race under jockey Adrian Heskey to win by a massive 16 lengths from Western Starlet, the 11-4 favourite.

The 3-1 chance was named after England’s dramatic last over win in the Cricket World Cup last July and oozed class throughout the two mile race.

The Mcneill Family also own the Warren Greatrex trained Portrush Ted, 11-4, who returned after a 519 day absence to win the feature race of the afternoon, the Book Direct At Western House Hotel Handicap in impressive style by two and a quarter lengths from Grand Morning. Also ridden by Adrian Heskin, this horse is another who it could pay to follow in the coming months.

The same can be said of Marown, 5-2, trained by Nicky Richards and ridden by Brian Hughes, who won the maiden hurdle with two and a half lengths from Sirwilliamwallace.

Champion jockey Richard Johnson rode the 6-1 chance Endlessly to victory for Olly Murphy in the novices’ hurdle and remains two clear of Brian Hughes in this year’s jockeys’ title race.