HEREFORDSHIRE trainers Kerry Lee and Matt Sheppard were the ones in the winners’ enclosure at Hereford Racecourse on Monday as the both scored with Hellfire Princess and Famoso respectively.

Byton based Lee struck first on the card with the win of Hellfire Princess in the two mile three and a half furlong handicap hurdle, partnered by Sam Twiston-Davies.

Sent off the 4/1 favourite Hellfire Princess was kept at the head of the 15-runner field and Twiston-Davies made his move jumping the second last hurdle seizing a vital few lengths from his rivals off the final bend and gamely holding on.

This was Lee’s 12th winner of the campaign and minor compensation for the defeat of her top-class Nemean Lion in the feature race at Kempton over the weekend, where he finished an honourable second.

Eastnor trainer Matt Sheppard is enjoying a purple patch at the moment and Famoso triumphed in the hands of jockey-son Stan Sheppard in the two-mile Handicap Chase.

Famoso was patiently ridden in the early stages before making his ground approaching the third last with Sheppard producing his mount to lead approaching the last and coming home a cosy seven and a half lengths ahead.

Welcoming his 14th winner of the campaign Sheppard said afterwards: “Fourteen winners so far this season, just one off our personal best. Great to have local winners.”

Warwickshire trainer Deborah Cole was also successful during the afternoon when her Imac Wood justified his trainers high opinion of him by landing the two mile five furlong handicap chase under a confident ride from rider Chris Ward, pushed out to an easy four and three-quarter victory.

The win was an immediate repayment on recent investment, including a new mile all-weather track at her yard at Knowle, which currently houses 18 horses.

Jockey Tom Bellamy, successful at the previous visit to the track earlier in the month, scored on his sole ride when Crystal Moon defied top weight to land the three-mile one furlong handicap chase for trainer Alan King.

The 11/2 chance improved his jumping as the race developed and Bellamy produced his mount jumping the second last and cornering well on the home turn to sneak went clear of front-runner Glance From Clover on the run-in to win by four and three-quarter lengths.