FORMER Worcester GP Dr Richard Newland probably had the smallest stable at this year’s Aintree Grand National Festival.

For that reason victory was even more sweet when Silver Adonis, ridden by Tom Weston of Droitwich, romped home to win the prestigious Foxhunter’s Chase.

Open to amateur riders, the race is run on the Thursday before the Grand National covering one circuit of the infamous fences.

Already 36th on the winning trainers table, you are now bound to see a great deal more of the man known in racing circles as ‘the good doctor.’ His wife Laura described their Aintree win as the most fantastic thing that has happened to them.

She said: “We didn’t know whether Silver Adonis would like the jumps and we were definitely outsiders but as the race went on we could see he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

“I can’t describe what it was like to win – just wonderful for all of our small team, especially jockey Tom.”

The Newlands started their training yard near Worcester five years ago when Richard gained his permit after encouragement from trainer Martin Weston.

In his first year he had a runner at Cheltenham followed by a winner.

Mrs Newland said: “To achieve all that in your first year is amazing.

Nobody knew where Richard had come from. He was an unknown but he is a very shrewd purchaser of horses and is able to bring out their best points.

“He uses his brainpower as a Cambridge graduate to analyse the best way to bring each horse on, plus an awful lot of energy and drive.”

Dr Newland started riding when his wife and daughters abandoned him to pursue their equine hobby.

Sixteeen-year-old daughter Felicity is hoping to race in point to points next season and is currently eventing.

Mrs Newland said: “His attitude was ‘if you can’t beat them join them’. He soon learnt to ride. Then he decided to go on the courses you need to get a licence.

“Although Richard gave up his job as a GP, he is a businessman as well and we had all the facilities here already. The scary thing was installing the gallops, which was quite an investment but it has paid off.”

As Silver Adonis passed the finishing line, Richard and Laura agreed that running a small yard is probably the secret of their success – along with plenty of luck, careful analysis and strategy. In fact his achievements have impressed owners so much he has been asked to train more horses.

The current stable of 10 horses is looked after by the couple, fulltime stable groom Carolyn White and family friend Millie Murray.

The list of winners so far includes the William Hill Handicap Hurdle in December 2006 and the Coral Cup in March 2007.

The Newlands’ dream is to win the Grand National or the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Mrs Newland said “You have to work towards something and we always look forward to our next challenge.”