Nigel Twiston-Davies celebrates double success at Aintree

Twiston-Davies, whose stables are in Naunton, had a good day with two winners across the card, firstly with Norman Fletcher as he took the Boylesports Money Back 2nd Meeting Novices’ Hurdle under jockey and son Sam.

An 11-4 chance after winning at Market Rasen last time out, the four-year-old continued on an upward trajectory with a three-and-three-quarter-length victory.

“Although you wouldn’t see it today on heavy ground, he’s got a lot of pace,” Sam Twiston-Davies said.

“I don’t know what the handicapper will do but in a 0-120, two-mile handicap hurdle somewhere on nice ground, he’d be hard to beat, I think.”

Zambella was then a second winner for the team, landing the rearranged Boylesports Houghton Mares’ Chase, a Listed race, by an easy 17 lengths as the evens favourite under Daryl Jacob.

The mare is a twelve-time winner and clearly a real favourite for all connections, who are planning her season around a possible trip to the breeding shed later on in the term.

“She’s an absolute queen, isn’t she?” said Jacob, wearing the colours of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

“She’s the apple of our eye as far as mares are concerned. She turns up every year, she runs her heart out, she gives everything that she has.

“Nigel and his team have done a great job, and with the race being rearranged, it actually suits her better here, going left-handed. I was delighted again when the rain came. She’s such a wonderful, honest thing and tried very hard.”