'Real sweet' - Tom Bellamy buzzing as Lavelle role brings another winner

The blossoming relationship between Tom Bellamy and Emma Lavelle resulted in another winner when Runswick Bay strolled home in the novice handicap chase, but bigger and better things could lie ahead as the jumps campaign goes up a gear.

Bellamy enjoyed his best season last term with 37 winners when he mainly rode for Alan King.

Lavelle, a Wiltshire neighbour of King's, was keen for the rider to become a more important part of her operation and things have started brightly.

Bellamy said: "It's going brilliantly and the horses are in cracking form, which is a help as if things aren't going well often the jockey can be to blame!

Watch Runswick Bay win for the Tom Bellamy-Emma Lavelle combination

"Things are real sweet, so I'm enjoying it. I've always wanted a stable jockey's job and to have that input somewhere, but the only thing was if Alan had said, 'On your way then', but he's said I'll still be a big part of the team there, so linking up with Emma was then a no-brainer."

Bellamy, now on 16 winners for 2021-22, added: "I suppose last season was a step in the right direction to the next level, but it wasn't the next level either, so hopefully I can ride a couple of big winners at the big meetings.

"I'm really excited and we should have a lot of fun with bumper horses who haven't run yet, bumper horses going novice hurdling and then the novice chasers. I haven't even been riding out for Emma for a year, but I don't think they've ever been as excited quality wise."

Results, replays and analysis

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