Narrow lead for Shakespeare

Royal Shakespeare regained a narrow advantage in the race for the British Horseracing Board Order of Merit title with a sixth-place finish in the Grade Two Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.

Steve Gollings’ charge, who would have been much closer but for a bad mistake at the last, now heads Monkerhostin by just four points in the battle for the £200,000 first prize, with each horse already having bagged the £50,000 for top hurdler and chaser respectively.

But although the seven-year-old tops the standings, Monkerhostin could still have one last throw of the dice if trainer Philip Hobbs decides to enter him for the Grade Two Betfred Celebration Chase at Sandown Park next Saturday.

Monkerhostin would only have to finish in the top five next Saturday to win the overall title.