HEREFORDSHIRE permit holder Kevin Prendergast is hoping for further success after a great start to his career at Sellack, the old base of former Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer John Edwards.

For a small yard, there is huge encouragement to be gained from a return of three winners from 11 runs.

The latest victory came as Hereford jockey Lee Stephens further improved his good record at his local racecourse when winning with Ouh Jay on Sunday.

The mare's supporters have been well rewarded by her fortunes.

She won at 66-1 in March up the road at Ludlow Racecourse on her debut for the Herefordshire yard and, while the odds of 9-1 last weekend weren't as generous, there were plenty of winning bets struck.

A special award was also made on Sunday at the racecourse's major racing occasion of the year. Last season's champion conditional rider Tom O'Brien received the Richard Davis award for 2006/7. The award, sponsored by Cheltenham & Three Counties and West Midlands Race Clubs, commemorates the young National Hunt jockey who was killed in a fall at Southwell Racecourse 11 years ago.

The final fixture at Hereford Racecourse before the traditional summer interval is on Monday, June 18 when the feature race is the £8,000 Charles Dawson Memorial Handicap Chase.

There are four other races over hurdles, a steeplechase for conditional jockeys, and the afternoon wraps up with a bumper for conditionals and amateur riders.

With The Derby having been run, and won for the first time by Frankie Dettori, Flat racing is preparing for its long summer.

Royal Ascot starts the day after Hereford Racecourse's next meeting. Of initial local interest, Little Marcle trainer Kevin Morgan has given his French import Markab, which has yet to race in Britain, an entry in the Royal Hunt Cup.

*The next racing at Hereford Racecourse is on Monday, June 18. Gates open at 12.30pm for a first race time of 2.30pm. The final race is at 5.30pm. Admission into the Grandstand Enclosure is £13. Accompanied children under 16 enter free of charge. More information can be found on web site www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk or by telephoning the racecourse on 01432 273560.