Walsh delivers piece of magic for punters

Twist Magic struck for favourite-backers as he put up an impressive display of fencing in the John Smith's Maghull Novices Chase.

A faller two from home when still going strongly in the Arkle at Cheltenham, Paul Nicholls’ charge was sent off the 9-4 market leader to atone for that mishap and the result never looked in doubt after he took it up three fences from home.

Jack The Giant and Lennon had set the early pace but Ruby Walsh was always cruising and his partner powered up the home straight to comfortably hold Fair Along by five lengths.

A mistake at the fourth-last accounted for Fair Along’s chances but he proved game under pressure to hold on for second from Royal Shakespeare, who was four lengths in arrears.

Walsh said: "We'll never know what would have happened at Cheltenham. He jumped great today, he was gaining lengths in the air.

“He stood off at the wings of the third-last and the first time I rode him that was all he did. The second time he was a bit better. Tipping up at the second-last at Cheltenham has taught him a lot.

“He was making ground on Lennon at every fence and I like that, it is a sign of a real good jumper. I don’t think he was doing much in front, but I think I got there a bit soon.”