'They’re really starting to pick up now' - Tom Lacey's fine form continues with feature success for Luttrell Lad

Cameron Iles moved one winner away from riding out his 7lb claim when steering Luttrell Lad to victory in the feature 2m½f handicap hurdle.

The nine-year-old won a bumper under Richard Johnson on his last visit to the track in March 2021, and he made it two from two at the course when scoring by a length and a quarter over the 15-8 favourite Aurigny Mill.

“He’s always threatened to put in a performance like that but he’s just been very hit and miss,” Iles told Racing TV.

Iles is based with Luttrell Lad’s trainer Tom Lacey, who had earlier trained his second successful debutant in as many days for the Plumbing World partnership when Lundi Noir won Market Rasen’s opening 2m½f juvenile maiden hurdle.

That across-the-card double followed Unjeu Royal’s Southwell bumper win on Wednesday and Gibbs Island’s Victor Ludorum victory at Haydock on Saturday.

On a productive period for Lacey, Iles said: “Things were a bit slow with the team for a little while, but they’re really starting to pick up now.”

Shearer qualifies for festival

Shearer followed up his successful hunter chase debut at Ffos Las under Paul Nicholls' daughter Olive to ensure he is now eligible for next month’s St James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The winning rider also trained the third home, Didero Vallis.

Kittow off the mark

Cornish Storm was second to the 134-rated Doyen Quest in the 2m½f maiden hurdle last year, but the David Noonan-ridden odds-on favourite went one better in the same race to provide trainer Stuart Kittow with his first jumps success of the season.

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