Grant Tuer crowned Sunday Series leading trainer after Lezardrieux win
Grant Tuer's concerted effort to target the Sky Bet Sunday Series was rewarded when Lezardrieux handed the trainer a second victory over the three-day initiative.
As well as trialling a Sunday evening time slot, the £600,000 series has provided boosted prize-money for lower-rated horses and Tuer cashed in with Lezardrieux in a 6f handicap worth £25,600 at the rearranged final fixture.
The trainer, who had a winner on the first day of the series at Musselburgh in July, said: "We wouldn't have a load of 95 horses in the yard, but we do have some that can be competitive off 75-85 and this gives us a great opportunity to try and win some money."
There was more to celebrate for Tuer as he finished leading trainer of the series, winning a £10,000 bonus for his stable staff.
"It's huge for a small yard like ours to win a bonus like that for the staff," he said.
Tuer, who is based in North Yorkshire, has made giant strides this season with horses like Lezardrieux, who followed up last month's victory at Catterick under in-form apprentice Oisin McSweeney.
"He's a really tough little horse who wears his heart on his sleeve," said the trainer. "Six furlongs is his bag and the ground was right, and taking the seven off with Oisin's claim has made the difference."
Street Life in 80-1 shock
There can't be many last-time-out winners sent off at 80-1 and trainer Patrick Morris was as bemused as anyone at the price of Street Life after he caused an upset in the 5f apprentice handicap.
A winner at Lingfield last month, the Marwan Koukash-owned four-year-old gained his first success on turf under Morgan Cole when denying favourite Glorious Rio's bid for a four-timer.
"I couldn't believe he was that price," said Morris, who trains at nearby Prescot. "I said to Morgan it's a £25,000 race and don't ride him like a no-hoper. To get the chance to run a horse rated 57 is madness, as we're usually running for two grand."
Cole, who is based with Sir Mark Prescott, recorded her eighth winner and said: "I let him bowl along and as soon as I asked him, he just took off. Last time I rode him [two starts ago], he missed the break and it was game over. He was a lot more relaxed in the stalls."
Cox strikes again with newcomer
Lambourn trainer Clive Cox does well with the two-year-olds at Haydock and Whoputfiftyinyou gave him another success in the 6f maiden for newcomers.
A £82,000 breeze-up buy for owners Paul and Clare Rooney, Whoputfiftyinyou powered home in the closing stages under Hector Crouch.
"He'd done a couple of nice pieces of work at home and it was a good opening for him," said the jockey. "He was a bit green in the mid-part of the race but asserted close home, giving the impression another furlong is in reach."
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