With male trainers
dominating the leader board of National Hunt racing, it is always good to
see an in form female trainer. Emma Lavelle has trained
near Andover in Hampshire for 17 years, but this year she moved her string
to Bonita Stables in Ogbourne Maizey, near Marlborough. Lavelle purchased the
property, which includes 154 acres of private gallops and 54 stables, from
retired trainer, Peter Makin. Former trainers based at Bonita stables
have included Bill Marshall and Sir Gordon Richards. Now settled in her new
home, Lavelle is concentrating on training winners which has proved to be the
case at both July Worcester meetings to date. The eye catching Casino
Markets followed up his Stratford success and Uttoxeter second place with a win
in our feature £12.000 handicap chase on Senior Citizen's raceday. Last week, Let's Hope So
also got her nose in front in the mare's maiden hurdle, much to the
delight of all the members of the Cottage Stables Racing Club who came to
cheer her on. On both occasions, Aidan Coleman was the man in the saddle.
I am sure he is looking forward to continuing the association and riding
more winners for Lavelle over the summer.
Another trainer enjoying
current success is Robert Stephens who trains at Caldicot. Stephens chalked up
three winners in 4 days last week, at Stratford, Worcester and Uttoxeter
respectively.
The Worcester victory
came courtesy of the mare, Tir Dubh who at 10/1 beat the Philip Hobbs trained
favourite, Spillers Dream by three and three quarter lengths in the concluding
maiden hurdle. This was a much better
run than her previous 4th placed attempt at the course back in July 2015.
At the half way point in
the Worcester season, the scores on the jockey, trainer and owner's 'doors'
have never been closer.
Richard Johnson leads Sam
Twiston-Davies by 2 points, with Tom Scudamore only 6 points behind, and Sean
Bowen, Harry Skelton and Aidan Coleman all tying for 4th place. Nicky Henderson and
Philip Hobbs share the top trainer's spot this week, with last
weekend's Summer Plate winning trainer, Dan Skelton and also Peter
Bowen snapping at their heels.
Myroundorurs, trained at
Alcester by Robin Dickin, ran at the course last week for the third time in as
many months. His first two runs were both winning ones, but
unfortunately, he found one too good last week. Bottes Des Mottes (pictured above), also
trained at Alcester but by Dan Skelton, was in command at the last over long time
leader Myroundorurs, who had been put up by 22lb for his previous wins at the
course. The second place was however enough to secure this week's top
place in the leading owner contest for his owner, John Nicholls.
