RACING: Digger delights Lacey (From Oxford Mail)

RACING: Digger delights Lacey

10:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport

Tom Lacey was delighted to saddle a winner with his first runner under National Hunt Rules when Trouble Digger scored at Lingfield – but he has no plans to take out a full training licence.

The 43-year-old, who specialises in breaking-in horses and pre-training at Pudlicote, near Chipping Norton, sent out the son of 1995 Ascot Gold Cup hero Double Trigger to land a maiden hunters’ chase under Sam Drinkwater.

Lacey, who served his apprenticeship under Captain Charles Radclyffe at Lew, near Witney, and was also head lad to Brian Meehan, said: “That is my first hunter chase winner, although I have had plenty of point-to-point winners.

“It is hard work this job, so it is always great to have a winner.”

Despite the success, Lacey has no thoughts of taking out a full licence.

“There are too many trainers struggling with 15 bad horses,” he added. “No-one in their right minds would do it.”