Lalor cut to 7-1 for Arkle after poignant victory for Kayley Woollacott

Some epic and emotional tales have been wrought on the slopes of Cheltenham and another was hammered out on Sunday afternoon as the gutsy Lalor landed a stunning seven-length victory in the Arkle Trophy Trial.

He was cut to 7-1 (from 33) to repeat his victory in the Racing Post Arkle next March and there would be few more popular results should he triumph at the Festival, since this horse represents a lasting legacy of his late trainer, Richard Woollacott, who was tragically found dead at his yard in January after a battle with mental illness.

Yet while the association with Richard will be forever undimmed the magic of this horse is that he also represents the skill, courage and growing confidence of Kayley Woollacott, Richard's widow, who took over the training of Lalor and had already guided him to a poignant Grade 1 victory at Aintree in April.

"It's a massive day," said a thrilled Woollacott. "At Aintree it was very overwhelming, I sort of got sucked in by everything else, so it's great we had a proper break over the summer and this is in our own right.

"Lalor was Richard's favourite horse and he always said this is the best thing we'll get our hands on. It's amazing that [owners] David and Bunty Staddon still have him with me and allow me to do it.

"We have just worked so hard for this, and we're on Plan F probably, we've tried so hard to get out before now. I suppose we've really learned sometimes it pays to be brave and it's come off!"

Lalor (centre) on his way to victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lining up in a hot five-runner Grade 2 alongside the likes of Pingshou and Defi Du Seuil may not have been the easiest starting point to chasing for Lalor but, as Woollacott put it, "he took to it like a duck to water" under the champion jockey Richard Johnson.

"He was a bit novicey early on, but from the back straight onwards I was pretty confident that he was going to go close," Johnson said. "He jumped the last two fences really well and from there it was quite nice work for me!

"You have to think of him as an Arkle horse. After winning the bumper at Aintree [last year] you'd think he'd want further but at the moment all his form is over two [miles] so I think the sensible thing is to stay at two."

Johnson added: "This is the first horse I rode for Richard and my first winner for him. His passing was very sad for everybody and this horse has been a real boost for them in remembering Richard and keeping it all going. I imagine it's a very emotional time for them, but it's great to ride such a nice horse for nice people."

Lalor, who was chased home by Dynamite Dollars, received a warm welcome to the winner's enclosure but that's likely to pale in comparison to the reception he'll receive on returning home to Devon, where Kayley and Richard's daughter Bella was watching from.

"I have a little girl at home who will be very pleased with us," said Woollacott, "so I'll go home in the good books!"

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