GEORGE Duffield is hoping Denman owner Harry Findlay proves the man to bring the spark back to the Sun Hill Farm stables in Constable Burton.

The larger-than-life professional punter, most famously known for his National Hunt exploits with the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, has sent a couple of horses to George’s trainer wife Ann – and the legendary jockey is hoping the piece of luck will bring a turn-around in their fortunes during this Flat campaign.

To say last year was difficult for Ann and George is an understatement.

Their haul of 13 winners, from 243 runs, was their lowest total since 2005 as they struggled for much of the season with an ill yard and horses which couldn’t run to their full potential.

Not an awful lot went right, admits Duffield, who rode more than 2,500 winners in a near 40 year career capped by a string of Group 1 victories in the latter part of his time in the saddle.

Now assistant trainer to Ann, he reckons the tie-up with Findlay could be the ticket for a renewed Duffield charge – with his rejuvenated horses ready to trouble the winner’s enclosure once more.

“The horses were ill for most of the year and, at the time of the year when you wanted them in tip-top condition, they weren’t quite spot on,” Duffield said.

“We missed out on all those races we should be nicking during the summer.

“It picked up towards the end of the season and it just helped us along a little bit. It just took such a long, long time to get them right. It was very painful to see that and having to speak to owners, day in and day out, when things weren’t too good.

“You have always been judged, being a trainer or jockey, on how many winners you have trained or ridden. You always will be judged on that and results do matter.

“We think we have got one or two nice looking two-year-olds this season. They won’t be early. They will be summer horses but they could be quality.

“And Harry Findlay has got a couple with us.

“He’s ventured into Flat racing and has got them spread about. He’s got a Key Of Luck horse and he’s got one by Camacho. They look as though they could be quite nice horses.

“Ann just bumped into him at Doncaster last year and got introduced and he said ‘I’ll send you a horse’. Just like that. He finished up sending us two which was a bonus.

“You would like to think (he would attract other owners to the yard) but we have got some very nice people to train for.”

The barren spell has taken its toll. The Duffields are down on numbers but George is displaying a determination to top the best Sun Hill year of 30 winners in 2006.

“We have 50 in the yard this time,” he added. “We had 70 last year but I think it was a combination of not having a very good year and the recession. We just need to put the record straight this year and get the show on the road.

“We are down on numbers but they seem to be far healthier. We are really looking forward to it, to put things back in perspective and get ourselves back on the map.”

But while 2008 wasn’t the best of years, the 62-year-old rider, who counts the Epsom Oaks, St Leger Stakes and Nunthorpe Stakes among his big race successes, has never been tempted to climb back into the saddle.

He added: “It has been five years and I don’t miss it actually. Everyone asks the same question. I don’t look over my shoulder. I was lucky enough to have a great career.

“When you get older, you do appreciate it more and you take it in better than when you are younger.

“We are looking for a good year. We need to get some more winners and hopefully attract more people.”