GRAND veteran campaigner Grey Gold is gearing up to try and take his tally of triumphs into double figures at one of Hereford Racecourse’s most popular meetings – Saturday’s Ladies Day fixture.

The track’s top trainer Kerry Lee is considering the feature £25,000 188bet.co.uk Handicap Chase for the evergreen 13-year-old, a consistent handicap chaser over the past five seasons.

A striking individual on looks, the useful performer made an immediate impact for the Byton handler in her first season training, winning a valuable handicap at Newbury in November 2015.

Nearly a year later, Hereford Racecourse historically reopened after a four-year hiatus and Lee quickly established herself as the sporting venue’s leading trainer, a status she maintains in the prize money table. More than £22,000 has been won by her horses over the past 16 months and she has also had more runners in that time period at Hereford than anyone else.

She is looking forward to seeing whether Grey Gold can win at a meeting which many racegoers will be using as a warm-up for the Cheltenham Festival which starts just three days later.

“Grey Gold has been a star for our stable over the years winning nine races and he has taken us to many of the Grade One tracks,” said Lee.

“I love having runners as the track - not only is it very fair and a great place to start a novice, they also look after their ground so well which is why it attracts plenty of good horses.”

Lee’s Herefordshire stable goes from strength to strength and its close knit team of staff were delighted to achieve their first Cheltenham success with Magic Dancer earlier this season.

That was quickly followed by the brave exploits of another heart-warming old timer Gino Trail, whose career has been totally transformed by a move to the county.

With a Grade One success written onto her CV in her first season, Lee has the firepower to target the big meetings with her select string which includes Hereford winner Town Parks, a horse who should continue to progress.

“We have 23 winners so far this season and we aren’t finished yet,” said Lee, who has several entries at the Cheltenham Festival. “To keep training happy horses and improving the quality of our operation every year is the goal for me.

“They love the countryside around our yard, Herefordshire is so clean and tranquil. We have many different routes the horses can take and fantastic scenery.

“It has been great to see several horses owners have brought here thrive in this environment. We continue to aim high with each and every one of them, making sure they achieve their true potential.”

Ludlow’s Forbra Gold Cup meeting on Thursday had to be abandoned due to the snow and freezing conditions. Next up at the Bromfield course is the Charity Meeting on Thursday, March 22.