Trainer ends seven-month wait for a winner with huge 150-1 shock success at Lingfield

WINNERS have been few and far between for popular trainer Richard Rowe in recent years.

But he ended a seven-month drought in spectacular style on Tuesday with 150-1 stunner Ask Her Out at Lingfield.

West Sussex-based Rowe, who once replaced the legendary Bob Champion as Josh Gifford's stable jockey, had some initial success when he started training in the early 90's.

But he has not trained more than five winners in a season since 2012.

He has spoken of the difficulties of making ends meet in the past - but he got back on the winner's board with a bang in the opener at Lingfield.

His rank outsider Ask Her Out - who he also owns - flew home late under Tabitha Worsley to win by a neck in the two-mile National Hunt Flat Race.

She became one of the biggest priced winners over jumps in Britain as a result - though she is still only half the price of He Knows No Fear who won at a record 300-1 in Ireland three years ago.

Punters were understandably stunned by the result.

But it didn't come as a huge shock to Rowe - for all he didn't back her.

He said: "She isn't the biggest filly in the world but she had a few issues last year so I bided my time with her.

"This year she has turned a corner and she has been working really well at home.

"So she didn't totally surprise me - even though I didn't have a penny on her at 150-1!

"I'm hoping my son might have backed her because he has been riding her in her work and he liked her.

"Hopefully we can find an owner for her now - a better one than she has at the moment!"

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