FIFE-based trainer Nick Alexander was a happy man at Ayr Racecourse last Tuesday when Lake View Lad cruised to a five length win under jockey Stephen Mulqueen in Division 11 of the Annick Gardens National Hunt Maiden Hurdle.

The 2/5 favourite was clear at the last and gave his owners compensation for his previous visit to the track on January 2 when he stumbled and fell after clearing the final flight on January 2.

This is clearly a horse with a future and Nick will now plan where he goes from here with the six year-old.

It was a good day for the Irish with three winners and for two of the successful trainers it was first time lucky as it was their first ever runners at the Scottish venue.

Neil McKnight, from Banbridge in Co Down, saddled Master Ruffit (16/1) to won to win Division 1 of the Annick Gardens National Hunt Maiden Hurdle under a confident Brian Hughes ride and said afterwards : “I’ve passed the track many times but it’s my first visit here but I’ll certainly be back. I fancied him a bit today and he did it well.”

There was also support for Co Dublin based Karl Thornton’s Art Lord in the Elliston Park Handicap Chase who was returned at 7/1 after winning by 15 lengths in the hands of jockey Graham Watters .

The third Irish winner on the day was James Lambe’s Cinder Rua in the three mile maiden hurdle while there was a win for Borders trainer Stuart Coltherd in the two mile handicap hurdle when Hatton Springs won at 16/1 with trainer’s son Sam riding.