WHATCOMBE trainer Paul Cole sent out Spirit Of Belle to score at Kempton in the colours of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprbha.

Formerly trained by David Evans, the four-year-old gelding was bought by Cole’s son, Oliver, for 8,000gns for King Power Racing – the banner under which Srivaddhanaprbha’s horses run – after landing a selling stakes at Leicester by five lengths in September.

Spirit Of Belle then won at Kempton in November, and the 12-1 chance completed a hat-trick by returning to the Sunbury track to record a three-quarters-of-a-length verdict over Oud Metha Bridge in a mile handicap under PJ McDonald.

Srivaddhanaprbha’s ownership of Spirit Of Belle continues the son of Sir Percy’s strong football links as the gelding was bred by Crystal Palace and Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessy, who plans to go into the bloodstock side of racing when he finishes his career.

Blewbury trainer Eve Johnson Houghton recorded a first winner for the prominent owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede when Ferik got off the mark at Wolverhampton.

The three-year-old gelding, who was also previously trained by Evans, came home a length and a quarter clear of Macaque in an extended mile novice median auction stakes under Charlie Bishop.

It helped kick-start a memorable week for Munir and Souede, whose two-tone green silks were carried to a Grade 1 treble over jumps at Aintree by the Nicky Henderson- trained We Have A Dream, L’Ami Serge and Terrefort.

Johnson Houghton and Bishop teamed up to strike again with Count Calabash, who made a winning reappearance in a mile-and-three-furlong handicap at Kempton.

Having made much of the running, the four-year-old was headed by Lawless Secret, but found more to regain the lead and forge clear for a length-and-a-half success.