ACDC left Hexham Racecourse ‘Thunderstruck’ as racing opened for 2017 at the Yarridge Heights venue.

Last year’s leading jockey Brian Hughes started where he left off at Hexham as he got on the scoresheet when leading the horse which shares the same name as the iconic rock band for owner Chris Grant.

ACDC went into the two-and-a-half-mile National Hunt Maiden Hurdle as favourite, and was always going well as he took the lead before the last and went clear to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Floramoss, trained by Gillian Boanas, and third placed Haul Us In, ridden by Blair Campbell.

Racegoers to Hexham were treated to a seven-race card, sponsored by 188BET, as it returned to action for the year, and there was a double success for Lucinda Russell who was named the leading trainer of 2016 at the course. Her first winner came in the three-mile Handicap Hurdle as Bescot Springs, ridden by Alexander Thorne, prevailed by less than a length from Nick Alexander’s The Bishop and Stuart Coltherd’s Darsi Dancer.

Completing the double, Settledoutofcourt took the Premier League Darts Handicap Chase over four miles as jockey Stephen Mulqueen held off the challenge of Lakefield Rebel, trained by Harry Hogarth, by just a neck. Ian Jardine’s Sevenballs of Fire was a further four lengths behind in third. Hogarth did enjoy success as the three-mile Novices Handicap Chase was won by Hattons Hill, ridden by Jamie Hamilton, as it overhauled long-term leader Kanturk Bank, to score by one-and-three-quarters.

One day on from enjoying success at Cheltenham, trainer Ian Jardine, for owners Paul and Claire Rooney, were celebrating again at Hexham.

For the action started with a victory for My Little Cracker, ridden by Ross Chapman, in the Conditional Jockeys’ Mare Handicap Hurdle over two miles. The winner stayed on well to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths from Hurricane Rita and Miss Joeking.

After riding two seconds and a third, Sam Coltherd finally earned first place when riding Achill Road Boy for his father, winning the two-mile, four-furlong Novices Handicap Hurdle ahead of 5/4 fav. Knocknamona.

The next meeting at Hexham is just around the corner, as a six-race card will be held on Tuesday. The action will get under way at 2pm with the last race scheduled for 4.30pm.

Courtesy buses will leave Hexham railway station at 12.38pm and the bus station at 12.45pm.