ALTHOUGH Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson scored a hat-trick of winners in Ludlow's final meeting of 2016, it was Lyonshall trainer Tracey Watkins who won the plaudits with the win of her Goal who hit the back of the net in the two-mile Amateur Ladies Handicap hurdle, writes GRAHAM SAVEKER.

Opening up at 33/1 the previous day, the eight-year-old was well supported to record a second success for the small yard and under a confident ride from Natalie Parker came home a length-and-a-half to the good at odds of 7/1.

A delighted Watkins said afterwards: “This represented a drop in grade and he has taken his chance really well. We won this race with One Cool Boy two years ago and it’s nice to win it again.”

Kilcrea Vale was the middle leg of a treble for trainer Henderson and he scored well in the Alfa Aggregate Products Novices' Chase. Jumping well throughout the two-and-a-half mile event for jockey Jeremiah McGrath, his only serious danger Western Warrior slipped and fell while chasing at the fourth-last fence and this left the disappointing Zamdy Man to follow at a respectable distance.

The 15/8 chance took the two-and-a-half-mile prize by 19 lengths to complete a double for winning rider Jeremiah McGrath.

The pair also teamed up to good effect in the concluding Russell's Big Five O Birthday Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race aboard newcomer Top Ville Ben secured by three and a half lengths at 11/8.

The Henderson treble had been initiated when his River Wylde left behind a disappointing bumper effort at Cheltenham with a seven-length success in the Tanners Cava 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle under a positive ride from Daryl Jacob.

Emma Lavelle was rewarded for her decision to listen to advice from Richard Johnson after he steered Fox Appeal to a first win in more than two years in the Tanners Champagne Handicap Chase.

Although the Pembridge champion jockey's suggestion of fitting a tongue tie on the nine-year-old after riding him at Ascot failed to produce a win last time out, there was a much more satisfying outcome on this occasion.

Prominent throughout the extended two-mile-seven-furlong contest, the 4/1 shot stayed on best of them all to pass the post with five lengths in hand of favourite Calett Mad and claim a first win since November 2014.

Lavelle said: "That was great. There is no getting away from the fact that he had dropped to a very nice mark, but he did it really well.

"He did seem in great order and I think the run at Newbury was better than the result. He definitely showed he was on his way back. In fairness, Richard rode him at Ascot and said that we should try a tongue tie. We put it on for Newbury and it helped him.

"I said to Richard this morning that he told me to put it on, so he'd better go and win now!" she added.