Nells Son Delivers Emotional Victory for Injured Trainer Nicky Richards

Nells Son gave trainer Nicky Richards a much-needed morale boost by winning the Richard Landale Memorial Handicap Chase at Kelso on Sunday.

Richards, 68, is currently recovering in hospital after sustaining serious injuries in a fall at his Greystoke yard, which left him with a broken shoulder, pelvis, and ribs. From his hospital bed, Richards watched as his stable stalwart battled to victory in the £75,000 feature race, providing a welcome “great tonic.”

A Thrilling Finish

After an impressive seasonal debut win in a graduation chase at Carlisle, Nells Son (6-1) lined up for the competitive Kelso contest. Under a strong pace set by Matata, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, the race unfolded with plenty of drama.

Ridden by Danny McMenamin, Nells Son stayed in contention despite the pace and produced a decisive jump at the final fence. He surged forward on the run-in, overcoming Matata by a neck to secure a hard-fought victory.

Richards' Reaction

Speaking from Carlisle Hospital, Richards expressed his delight:

"I’m completely thrilled with him. It was a competitive race, but he’s always been a very decent horse. We’ve been experimenting with distances, but he’s proven to be a true two-miler, especially with a good gallop like today."

This win marks Nells Son’s second major triumph of the season, and Richards is optimistic about the horse’s prospects in top-class handicaps:

"He’s been a great servant this season. We’ll aim for another race in January and see if we can make it three big wins. Hopefully, we’ll have a cracking season with him."

On the Road to Recovery

Richards also shared an update on his recovery:

"I’m lucky to have a fantastic team at home ensuring the horses are well cared for. For now, I’m focused on getting moving again, with the hope of transitioning to a hospital in Penrith for physiotherapy soon."

Despite his injuries, the trainer remains optimistic and energised by Nells Son’s success:

"Listening to the race today on the phone was a real tonic. Moments like this remind me why I love the sport."

Nells Son’s victory not only adds another highlight to his promising season but also provides an emotional lift to his trainer during a challenging time.