QUANTOCKS-BASED National Hunt trainer Bob Buckler was a very happy man after watching Somerset Lias claim his first win at Taunton Races on Thursday afternoon in the Handicap Steeple Chase.

Previous to his victory, the eight-year-old bay gelding had run in 26 races under rules and been placed 11 times but on Thursday he made no mistake and, after leading almost from the off, ran out the winner by six lengths, jockey Liam Heard bringing him home at 4-1.

Buckler, whose stable is at Spaxton, near Bridgwater, said: “Somerset Lias did the job very nicely and we are all delighted that he has notched up his first win.

"Liam gave him a really positive ride and I'm sure the blinkers helped him a bit as well.”

This capped a very successful six days for Buckler because the previous Friday he saw Tinker Time claim second place at Ascot at 33-1.

On Wednesday, Hoo Bally Diva came second at 14-1 and Ballyegan third at 7-1, both at Hereford.

Buckler said: “For a small yard, it has been absolutely brilliant and very pleasing for everybody involved."

Buckler’s next runner is likely to be Regal Flow at Exeter on Thursday, December 2.