'I've hit every part of the crossbar' - Lucky Man gives Spencer better fortune

Thursday: Southwell

Lucky Man ended a frustrating start to the year for trainer Richard Spencer when winning the feature 6f three-year-old handicap under Hayley Turner.

The Rebel Racing-owned colt got the Newmarket trainer's Flat team off the mark for 2022 at the 24th attempt after a host of near-misses.

Not only was it a welcome success for the yard but also for Lucky Man as he was beaten a neck on his two starts last month.

"I've hit every piece of wood on the crossbar and goalposts in the last month, but they've been running very well and we've just been unfortunate," said Spencer.

"Lucky Man has been unlucky not to win more races as things haven't gone his way. He's a very consistent horse, who's done it very well today, and we'll continue to run him on the all-weather."

Spencer had got off the mark for the year with one of his jumpers when Cheltenham Festival contender Wonderwall, who was seventh in last season's Champion Bumper, won a maiden hurdle at Doncaster last month.

"He's a nice horse and he's going to run in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon next week and, all being well, he'll then go for the Ballymore at Cheltenham."

Quick turnaround for Work

Apprentice handicap winner Love Your Work is set to return to Southwell next week in an attempt to chalk up a sixth course success.

The in-form six-year-old, a neck second here on his debut for new trainer Rebecca Menzies 18 days earlier, scored as the 5-4 favourite under Oliver Stammers and would escape a penalty for Tuesday's race over the same 7f trip.

Menzies doubled up when Batocchi took division two of the 1m4f handicap to record a course-and-distance hat-trick.

Results, replays and analysis

New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets. New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 2 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.