Highs and lows for Murphy at Ayr

Ferdy Murphy’s day at Ayr started on a sour note when Percutant was one of two horses to be fatally injured in the opening race, but Elzahann’s success in the Coral Backing Poppyscotland Mares’ Handicap Hurdle helped lift the stable’s spirits ahead of the Coral Scottish Grand National.

Percutant was travelling well in second behind the eventual winner Grand Theatre between the last two flights of the Artemis, The Profit Hunter Supporting Poppyscotland Novices’ Handicap Hurdle when he broke a hind leg.