A good weekend's work for Lucy Wadham

Just recently, it's been the chance for the lesser lights of the Newmarket training fraternity to demonstrate their talents. Let's face it; when you think Newmarket, your first thoughts tend toward Ascot and York, not Cheltenham and Newton Abbot.

Hidden among the training establishments in the town, on Hamilton Road, and still further afield, there are dual purpose trainers who are more than capable of a little giant-killing of their own in the Jumps sector, and Newmarket's outstanding gallops and schooling facilities on the Links need leave no excuses if the horses are good enough. 

Lucy Wadham is one such, having just enjoyed a very satisfactory weekend's work at Cheltenham. Two runners generated an ITV winner and a second in a good handicap on Friday, also on TV. This sort of exposure is what every trainer needs to illustrate the point that the obvious people are not always the best place to place your ownership interests. 

Lucy's been training since 1989, and has over 300 scalps to her name over Jumps alone. Notable triumphs have included the Grade 1 4YO Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival with United, the Top Novices at Aintree, and the Imperial Cup, which ranks among the hottest handicap hurdles of the season. 

Her Flat record is equally impressive; some 70 winners since she threw her hat in the ring in 2003, including a clutch of Listed races and the Lancashire Oaks in 2015 with Lady Tiana. 

This weekend only serves to illustrate her affinity with mares and fillies. The White Mouse, a six year old mare winning her fourth race from seven starts, finished robustly under a driving finish from Bryony Frost to win the closing handicap hurdle for mares at Cheltenham's International meeting. Had it not been for the short head finish in the International Hurdle 40 minutes before, it would have been the race of the day. 

Friday's Potter's Legend was unlucky not to make that 2 from 2 on the long trip from Newmarket in the feature handicap chase, just going down a length to a woman who specializes in staying chasers at the other end of the country - Kerry Lee. 

​More evidence, were it needed, that small is beautiful in the racing world. 

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