£94,205.75 in 13 days

It is only the 7th November and the jumps season has yet to engage top gear thanks to the dry Autumn. However, it is probably safe to say there won't be a better selection in One Jump Ahead this time around than Thistle Ask. Featured in the Stable Switchers section on page 175, the eight year old was bought out of James Ewart's yard for 11,000gns at the Goffs UK Spring Sale in May. Without a win in four runs for Stuart Crawford at the beginning of his career, the Ask gelding won two out of six for Ewart before going under the hammer following the Borders handler's decision to retire. Rated 115 over fences, he had his first run for Dan Skelton at Kelso on Saturday 25th October. Thirteen days later, he made it three out of three for Paul Nicholls' former assistant by winning the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. The progress Thistle Ask has made is nothing short of remarkable. During that time, he has earned his owners £94,205.75. Given a positive ride by Harry Skelton, the ex-pointer jumped superbly and had built up an unassailable lead before the hometurn. Crossing the line seven lengths in front, he was racing off a seventeen pounds higher mark than when winning at Kelso at the end of last month.