A trainer hopes he can send out a winner as a perfect tribute to a much-loved former employee.
Warren Greatrex's Saturday runners are competing just a week after his yard was left devastated by the death of David Thompson.
The 25-year-old stable lad was a popular member of the team at the handler's Lambourn set-up, where he had worked since July 2020.
Thompson was reported missing on February 10 and tragically his body was found near to the Berkshire village two days later.
It is the second loss Greatrex's yard have felt in the last 12 months after 19-year-old aspiring jockey Michael Pitt passed away last July.
Tomorrow the trainer runs Thompson's favourite horse Missed Vacation in the bumper at Ascot (4.45).
The five-year-old mare finished second on her only start at Uttoxeter 50 days ago.
"David loved Missed Vacation," Greatrex said.
"She showed promise on her first run and has improved for the experience and should give a good account of herself.
"It would be a nice tribute if she could win it."
Emitom, Bill Baxter and High Stakes travel up to Haydock, which faces an 8am inspection due to the threat of rain from Storm Eunice.
Greatrex said Thompson, a keen Chelsea FC supporter, had a real bond with the thoroughbreds.
"He didn’t ride out but he loved his horses," he added.
“We heard on Saturday morning that he had died and it was really hard to take, especially in the circumstances that we lost Michael Pitt last summer who was another person that was the life and soul of the yard and was a great part of the team.
“With neither lad you would ever imagine this would happen. There was no real signs. David’s childhood had been a bit broken and he hit low at times but in the yard you would never see any signs of that.
“We are a big family here and to lose a member of the team is not easy to take.
“Everyone does get on well here from the top down but it has been very tough but we will get through it.
“We just need to stick together and hopefully the horses can have a good end to the season and that will bring us some joy again.
"It would give everyone a real boost if we could get a winner this weekend to put everyone in a positive frame of mind.”
Emitom, the 2020 winner of the William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle (2.05), heads Greatrex's weekend team.
Former champion jockey Brian Hughes, clear in the title race, takes the ride and the hurdler sports first-time cheekpieces.
"A flat track on heavy ground should suit him," Greatrex said.
“I know if he does turn up he has the ability to be in the shake-up for sure but on what he has done this season he does need to step up."
Hughes is also booked for the stable's two runners on the Merseyside circuit, with Bill Baxter up against ten rivals in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3.15).
“I think he is better than the mark he has got," the trainer added.
"I would expect a really good run from him with the ground and trip in his favour.”
