As the horse racing world prepares for Cheltenham next week, it has been left in mourning at the news that the Welsh trainer Dai Burchell, who produced more than 400 winners, has died aged 87.

Burchell, who retired two years ago, swapped the local steel works for the stables at 35 and since then preceded to produce a parade of winning ponies from Briery Hill above Ebbw Vale.

After four wins as a jockey he passed into training with his last winner coming the day before his retirement, Good Impression winning at Uttoxeter in January 2022.

A history of horses bought on modest budgets, with a philosophy of never spending more than £10,000 on a horse,  Burchell was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Welsh Horse Racing Awards.

Chepstow races held the Happy Retirement Dai Burchell Novices Hurdle run in his honour in 2022 and paid tribute to his passing on social media writing “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former trainer Dai Burchell – a great character in Welsh racing. RIP.”

While West Wales racecourse Ffos Las paid tribute saying “So many wonderful tributes today to retired Welsh trainer Dai Burchell who has passed away. The thoughts of the team are with Ruth and the family.”

Burchell is survived by his wife Ruth and five children.