BYTON trainer Kerry Lee ended what had been a frustrating week on a high after she scored a double at Ascot races on Sunday with Happy Diva in the Novices' Chase and Sir Will in the Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.
Lee had seen her Tree Of Liberty suffer a 1/20 defeat at Ludlow races on Thursday along with being handed a £3,000 fine following a Stewards enquiry into the running of Kings Monarch at Chepstow on Wednesday, so the double was consolation for a poor week.
Happy Diva jumped the last in the two-mile-five-furlong contest with odds-on favourite Adrien Du Pont but the Lee runner, partnered by Richard Patrick, stayed on strongly to score by a length at the winning post gaining her third win over fences this season.
Lee said after: "We needed that. She is a fantastic filly. She was bought by her owners as a three-year-old store and we've had her for four years.
"They deliberately bought a filly, as in the future they plan to have mini Divas! She travelled all the way. What a great ride by Richard Patrick. He is tremendous value for his 5lb claim.
"There is a Listed mares' novice and a mares' handicap race at Cheltenham (in April). We will keep her in with a mind to it."
Sir Will provided further success for Lee/Patrick partnership in the Iron Stand Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.
Lee added: "I've had him two seasons and it has taken a long time to come. We started chasing with him very unsuccessfully earlier in the season.
"He was a close third over three miles two at Warwick last time and he didn't quite get home. We dropped him back today and I was a little worried about the hill, but the ground has helped."
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