Kayley Woollacott pencils Lalor in for chasing debut at Exeter

Kayley Woollacott is looking forward to sending stable star Lalor over fences this season, with a date at Exeter already pencilled in later this month for his chasing debut.

The six-year-old was a Grade One winner at the Grand National meeting last season, a victory that came in emotional circumstances following the death of Woollacott’s husband, Richard.

Lalor is in line to start over the bigger obstacles in the Best Mate Beginners’ Chase – won by Yanworth last year – as long as the ground is suitable, and Woollacott is looking forward to the new season with renewed enthusiasm after signing a sponsorship deal with Betway.

She said: “We can’t wait for the season to really get started. Lalor is pencilled in for his first start over fences in the Best Mate Beginners’ Chase at Exeter on October 23 and we’ll then take it from there.

“He won a Grade One over hurdles and we’ve always thought that he would be a better chaser, so let’s hope we end up back at the big spring festivals.”

Betway’s Alan Alger said: “This partnership really goes back to Aintree in April when Lalor was a hugely emotional winner of the Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle.

“We could all see in the paddock how much that win meant to everyone involved, and racing as a whole. Kayley has had an incredibly difficult time over the past nine months and we were all in awe of her strength when being interviewed in the winner’s enclosure.

“We’re really excited to sponsor the yard and look forward to keeping everyone updated on Lalor’s progress, as well as the rest of her string. He’s a hugely exciting horse for the season and we hope to give a unique insight into the training of a top-class novice chaser.”