Blockley crowned all-weather king

Paul Blockley claimed the all-weather trainers’ championship on the final day of the season at Lingfield.

Coming into Saturday’s meeting, only Gay Kelleway had a chance of challenging Southwell-based Blockley for the title, which is decided on a point-based system.

Blockley, who has already won the individual track prize at Southwell, secured the prize for top overall trainer after Hidden Dragon finished second in the New Site at betdirect.co.uk Handicap, while the Kelleway-trained pair of runners failed to throw down a challenge.

Kelleway came close with runner-up Labrett in the closing Richard Gibbs Memorial Handicap but it was not enough.

“We were top on prize money and I’m gutted to have missed out on the points. But we will up our game even more next year. We’ll have 60 horses for the all-weather and I promise you we’ll win it,” she said.

Despite drawing a blank on the final day, Ian Mongan held on to win the jockeys’ title ahead of Neil Callan.