WHAT better way to open the new season of racing at Worcester Racecourse than with a winner trained just three miles from the course?

Jockey Sean Bowen must surely be a contender for ride of the month in the opening handicap chase, having all but fallen in the back straight and then managing to galvanise the Tom Weston-trained Thoonavolla up to win on the line.

Weston, who has recently installed a new all-weather gallop at his Hindlip yard, sent Thoonavolla out to win four point-to-points in 2015 and indeed his success rewarded his syndicate owners with an Aga at the end of the season.

The Beneficial gelding gave Weston his first win under Rules at Southwell in March and holds two entries for Worcester tomorrow.

Division Two of the same handicap chase went to 8-1 outsider of the field, Princess Fleur.

The mare, who according to Herefordshire trainer Michael Scudamore enjoys a sounder surface, has made the frame on five of her six starts at Pitchcroft, her first win at the course came in 2013.

Also owned by the Honfleur syndicate, Princess Fleur’s dam Princess Grec won twice at Worcester in June and August 2004 respectively. On both those occasions, she was also ridden by Tom Scudamore.

Her final race came in June 2006 with a win at Hereford.

Eastnor trainer Matt Sheppard has always been a loyal supporter of Worcester and it was good to see him enjoy another winner last week.

Modeligo was driven out to take the feature chase by Sheppard’s amateur jockey son Stan following the horse’s victory at Warwick last month.

Sheppard is in the running to be crowned champion amateur jockey at Stratford this weekend.

After a successful career in pony racing, Sheppard is now attached to Paul Nicholls’ yard.

A winner at Fontwell for his father last Friday helped his cause, as will any more success he achieves this week.

Claines trainer Dr Richard Newland was rewarded for sending five-year-old Vosne Romenee all the way to Perth for a two-mile handicap hurdle.

Sam Twiston-Davies rode the improving gelding to a six-length victory and, in view of his liking for the quick summer ground, he will now be aimed at either the valuable Galway Hurdle or the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen in July.

Now that racing is well and truly under way at Pitchcroft, the meetings come in quick succession.

A bumper entry of 257 horses for tomorrow’s card is an indication of the popularity of the course with trainers.

The gates open at 12.10pm tomorrow.