Harry Skelton crowned champion of inaugural Jockeys' Cup

Harry Skelton

was crowned the inaugural winner of the David Power Jockeys’ Cup after the opening race at Aintree on Thursday.

Having ridden Boombawn to finish fourth behind Impaire Et Passe in the opening Manifesto Novices’ Chase, the rider was 78 points clear of Harry Cobden and 80 ahead of third-placed Nico de Boinville.

With neither jockey having a full book of rides over Thursday and Friday, it was a gap that neither could then mathematically bridge.

Skelton collects the £500,000 first prize, his brother and principal trainer Dan Skelton the £50,000 trainer pot, with the same amount to be shared among the stable staff at the yard.

Skelton ended the day on 412 points thanks to runner-up finishes for Live Conti in the Juvenile Hurdle, Grey Dawning in the Bowl and Calico in the Red Rum Handicap Chase.

Skelton was also third on Take No Chances in an eventful Aintree Hurdle in which Constitution Hill was a faller once again under Nico de Boinville.

The race was won by Lossiemouth who was ridden by Paul Townend who made the most of more Willie Mullins domination, picking up wins on Impaire Et Passe in the opening Manifesto Novices’ Chase before adding further success 35 minutes later on Murcia. He is now just four points off 10 points, and will have his sights set on overhauling Charlie Deutsch and Ben Jones who are currently 32 points ahead of him in joint-seventh.

Harry Cobden secured points thanks to an all-the-way win on Sans Bruit in the Red Rum, meaning he will head into day two of the Randox Festival – the final day of the David Power Jockeys’ Cup – with an 18-point cushion over third-placed de Boinville.

Meanwhile, Caoilin Quinn picked up four points as he bids to pick up first prize in the race to be leading conditional. He is now just eight points behind leader Dylan Johnston, however, unless he picks up any spare rides on Friday he won’t be able to catch the leader. Patrick Wadge has two rides in ITV races on Friday but would need to win both races – and Johnston not to pick up any points – if he is to take top spot.