'She's a good little pilot' - Katie Powell pounces late on Family Pot

Thursday: Ludlow

Trainer Sheila Lewis was delighted to reward the loyalty of Katie Powell as the young rider steered Family Pot to success in the 2m4f handicap chase for amateur jockeys.

Powell gave the Lewis-trained seven-year-old a well-judged ride in a tactical three-runner affair to foil the odds-on favourite Gouet Des Bruyeres after the final fence.

Lewis said: “We kind of knew the Oliver Greenall horse was a two-miler and the [Nigel] Twiston-Davies horse was a three-miler, so we just thought we’d get there at the death and he’d stay on, which he did. It was the hare and the tortoise, and he was the tortoise who just got there at the end.”

It was the second time in three years that Powell had combined with Lewis to win the race and the Brecon-based trainer was also responsible for the amateur’s first career winner on her first ride under rules, Knight Commander at Exeter in October 2020.

Katie Powell: landed her third win under rules aboard Family PotCredit: Edward Whitaker

“Two years ago she won on Stupid Cupid with a similar ride, she got it done after the last,” said Lewis. “It’s just been her and me for the last three years, so it’s lovely to get a win for her. We’re a very small yard, we’ve only got 12 horses in.

"She’s a good little pilot and she’s going to go conditional next year, so that’ll be good.”

The win also provided the perfect appetiser for Lewis, who runs Straw Fan Jack at Cheltenham’s season opener on Friday. “He wants this good ground, so we thought we’d give it a go,” she said. “We’d probably be drunk for two weeks if he won.”

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