A host of local trainers were to the fore when Chepstow raced on Friday, but the best story of the afternoon came via Brocklesby Bill (photographed), who struck in the 7f maiden. He is named after the late Bill Turner, a popular trainer who died last year.
His daughter Kathy assumed responsibilities at their Somerset base following his death and was beaming after seeing the three-year-old, who had shaped with encouragement at Newbury earlier in the month, defy odds of 33-1.
“It’s quite emotional," she told Sky Sports Racing. “He’s named after Dad and the last time I was here I was announcing Dad had died.
“I didn’t think the horse was quick enough for seven furlongs and thought a mile would suit him better. I thought he needed his run at Newbury, but he’s a lovely horse and last year Dad always liked him. It’s lovely, unbelievable - all I want to do is make Dad proud.”
Ben Ffrench Davis rode Brocklesby Bill and added: “That was class. It’s my first winner back after 13 weeks on the sidelines from a broken leg, but it means a lot to win on this horse.
Bill was brilliant to me in my career and Kathy has stuck by me too. We deserved that.” The jockey’s weighing room colleague Gina Mangan loves riding at Chester - it is where she has had most of her winners - and another two were recorded thanks to On Edge and Northcliff.
The former, who is trained in Caerwent by Chris Mason, was on top in the 5f handicap after which Mangan said: “That was good. I love the way Chris has his horses rocking up for their first runs of the year. He showed me plenty of gears and he took a bit of pulling up too. He’s a very versatile horse - a lovely, fun one - and he’s going to be good fun this year, I can tell.
“Things are going great for me and I have to pinch myself. I’ve enough on the board not to take a backseat, but I’m not on edge, like I normally would be. I’ve settled into a nice rhythm.”
The in-form Mangan then went on to steer Northcliff to glory in the 7f handicap. It was her first time riding the gelding, who had a slow start and was then keen, but improved to record a neck victory - his first since May last year.
He hails from the Devauden base of Thomas Faulkner, who reckoned the horse was suited by the return to turf having raced on the all-weather recently.
Not to be outdone by her local counterparts, Grace Harris got in on the act with Oasis Sunrise, who was game to land the apprentice handicap under Ashley Lewis.
Harris, who trains in Shirenewton, has struck up a good relationship with Lewis, who has now ridden four winners from just 11 rides for her. On Saturday her six year old hurdler Lion Of The Desert, twice a winner in recent weeks, was only touched off by a head at Stratford having made a mistake at the final flight.
The next racing at Chepstow is the Country and Western Race Night this Saturday 6th June, when the action starts at 5.45pm. There’s racing this Thursday 4th June at Ffos Las and on Friday 5th June at Bath
