Norman Williamson was the jockey to follow at Ludlow yesterday as he racked up a 196 to 1 treble, courtesy of victories by Sir Walter, Tribal Dancer and Act In Time.

But just as it looked he might make it a four-timer, Williamson came crashing down to earth at the final fence in the novice chase.

The Tom George-trained Act In Time earned a possible tilt at the Tote Northern National at Newcastle in February after digging deep to better Judaic Ways in the Viscount Boyne Trophy.

Williamson had to be at his strongest aboard Tribal Dancer as the pair locked horns with Shelayly and Carl Llewellyn from the final flight of the Levy Board Novices' Handicap Hurdle, and there was only a short-head between them at the line.

Sir Walter gave Worcester trainer Andy Hobbs his first success for almost two months when landing the Corve Novices' Claiming Hurdle by three lengths.

However, Williamson came down to earth with a bump in the Downton Novices' Handicap Chase when his mount Finbar's Revenge, who was going well upsides eventual winner Optimistic Chris, came down at the final fence.