IT was a dismal day for favourite backers as no market leaders came out on top in Newbury’s first jumps meeting of the season on Thursday, writes Richard Ashton.

The shortest-priced winner came in the third race of the afternoon, when the Warren Greatrex-trained La Bague Au Roi (15/8) took a one-and-a-half length victory under Richard Johnson from 13/8 favourite Lostintranslation in the 2m 6f KKA-Highpoint Beginners’ Chase.

Talkischeap (9/1) was a further five lengths back in third.

The opening contest – the two-mile Fuller’s Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – went to Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson, whose 5/1 shot French Crusader romped to an eight-length success from Majestic Touch (11/1). The 33/1 outsider Our Merlin came third of the sixth runners, with 5/6 fav New Quay bringing up the rear.

Ecu De La Noverie (33/1) was a big-priced winner in the two-mile Agetur UK Novices’ Hurdle, coming home by a short-head from the 13/8 favourite Mister Fisher.

Bold Plan (8/1) was two-and-a-half lengths back in third.

Henderson completed a double with Lust For Glory (9/2) cruising to a three-and-a-quarter length win from 13/8 favourite Posh Trish in the CSP Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, 3/1 shot Duhallow Gesture coming home third.

The highly-fancied Ready And Able (6/4 fav) disappointed his supporters when struggling in the three-mile Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle before eventually falling under jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr.

The race ended up going to Jersey Bean (9/1) under the guidance of Leighton Aspell, who recorded a four-length victory from 33/1 chance Bobo Mac.

The David Pipe-trained Moon Racer (7/1) finished a further four-and-a-half lengths back in the hands of Tom Scudamore.

Kapcorse (11/4) was another favourite to flop in the 2m 3f Dawnus Handicap Chase, coming home in seventh as Lizzie Kelly piloted 71/ shot Siruh Du Lac to a one-and-three-quarter lengths triumph from Chef D’Equipe (12/1), the mount of Philip Hobbs.

The 10/1 chance Dream Bolt was a neck further back to complete the trio.

In the closing National Hunt flat race run over two miles, it was another 10/1 shot, Drunken Pirate, who took the honours under Thomas Garner.

The Noel Williams-trained five-year-old was a length-and-a-half clear of 25/1 chance Edwardstone, with Allart (7/2) coming home in third.

The 3/1 favourite Imperial Alcazar trailed home in fourth place, five lengths behind Drunken Pirate.