FITTINGLY on Ladies Day at Hereford Racecourse last Friday there was a triumph for Three Cocks trainer Sheila Lewis with Gris Majeur, winning at the third attempt over hurdles in the opening two-mile five and a half furlong novices hurdle.

The five-year-old Gris Majeur, owned by the trainer’s father Brian Davies, he had been bought at the Cheltenham sales in November, and although two previous runs had not shown him to good effect the step up in distance proved to be decisive in his favour to run out a five-length winner from the Paul Nicholls-trained Grange Road under a confident ride from Sean Houlihan.

Lewis, who combines training with running a beauty salon said of her winner proudly: “You could see today that he was much more settled and just came through with the longer distance helping him and the ground as well.

"He’s a big raw horse, he’s grown a bit since we’ve had him as well, he's definitely very progressive.

“He’s definitely a chaser, but I’m really glad that he’s won now.

"Not many horses come into my yard that I can win a novice hurdle with so it’s a real treat.”

Jockey Jonjo O’Neill junior is quietly gaining the plaudits and experience before surely taking up firmer links with owner J P McManus and he took the honours in the three-mile one furlong novices handicap chase with an assured ride aboard his father’s Ashfield Paddy,

Leading with market rival 2/1 favourite Bretney over the first few fences, O’Neill seized the initiative over his rival after the fourth last fence and drew clear to record a smooth one and a quarter length win.

It was a worthwhile trip to Hereford for the Sussex based Moores family as all three family members got on the scoresheet.

Jockey Jamie caused a surprise when a 33/1 winner of the juvenile maiden hurdle aboard the Deborah Faulkner-trained Mickydee before Aggagio, ridden by his brother Josh and trained by father Gary, narrowly justified 4/11 favouritism in the novice handicap hurdle.

The concluding Bumper race went to in-form trainer Sam Thomas, when his Deere Park partnered by Sam Twiston-Davies won.