MANAGING DIRECTOR Roger Stokell has plenty to smile about at present as the horse he named after his Darlington-based manufacturing business, Smith N Allan Oils, won for the third time in as many weeks at Lingfield on Tuesday.

Stokell is naturally delighted with the success of his horse, particularly as it has also created plenty of interest among both workers and customers.

"We employ 20 staff, quite a few of them like a bet and follow the horse.

"Additionally we get calls from customers asking if he's going to win or not," said Stokell.

"A lot of the enquiries come from the 2,000 or so farmers we supply with lubricants.

"They are always happy if he wins, but give me a hard time after they lose their money when he gets beaten," added Stokell.

Michael Dods, trainer of Smith N Allan Oils, reckons the recent upsurge in the five-year-old gelding's fortunes is down to the style of racing at Lingfield Park.

"Surrey is a heck of a long way to travel, but they get loads of runners down there in the seven-furlong races and he seems to really enjoy it when there are plenty of horses all tightly-packed around him.

"It means the jockey can get him covered up and seeing no daylight. Once he gets out in front and on his own he tends to prick his ears and pull himself up," explained Dods, who trains at the village of Denton, five miles to the west of Darlington.

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