LOCAL trainers were to the fore at Hereford races on Tuesday with wins for Hoarwithy based Tom Symonds and Byton trainer Kerry Lee with their respective horses Loud as Lions and Brigadier Bob.

Loud as Lions was sent off a 7/1 chance in the field of eight for the extended three mile handicap chase and in the hands of jockey Ben Poste they stretched their rivals from the start.

From early on the final circuit it was clear the only danger was the local rival Jurys Out trained by Symonds’ Kings Caple neighbour Venetia Williams.

Jurys Out was still two lengths adrift of the leader at the third last fence but a mistake there saw jockey Charlie Deutsch exit the saddle leaving Loud as Lions to score by an easy 10 lengths from runner-up Stockburn.

A delighted Symonds said about his first win of the season: “I'm delighted to win for local owners at our local track and he jumped from start to finish."

Kerry Lee was not to be outdone in the winners stakes as the Byton trainer stepped up in the extended three mile handicap chase when she sent out Brigadier Bob to score by a determined two and a quarter length after making all the running.

It seemed as though Michael Scudamore was another local trainer who was certain to get onto the winners list on the day as the Bromash trainers Ask Himself was sent off 2/1 joint favourite for the two mile novices hurdle but he was to be denied in the shadow of the post.

In the hands of Richie Mclernon, Ask Himself, led the field a merry dance and jumped the final hurdle in front but his stride shortened as he started on the run-in and Shanacoole Prince responded well to jockey David Bass’s urgings to take the spoils by half a length with War Lord a close-up three-quarters of a length further back in third place.

Jockey Tom Canon has taken a number of rides for trainer Alan King and the partnership scored another win when their veteran 12 year-old Valdez came to take the honours in the two-mile five-furlong handicap chase after leading impressively at the third last fence.