THERE were no surprises when the historic Heart of all England feature race returned to Hexham Racecourse.

For 9/5 favourite Ardea, trained by Justin Landy, in Leyburn, and ridden by Joe Wright, won the Maiden Hunters' Chase in memory of the late Eve Aitchison, the eight-year-old going on to win by five lengths.

The most valuable race of the evening was The Bobby Roberts Memorial Handicap Hurdle, attracting a prize money of £9,000, which was won by in-form Beyondtemptation for owner/ trainer Jonathon Haynes, just outside of Greenhead.  Jockey Tommy Dowson steered the mare to victory by 11 lengths.

The seven race meeting got under way with a two mile selling hurdle, which gave jockey Ross Turner his first winner under National Hunt rules as he rode Smadynium, trained by Julia Brooke, to victory by a length-and-a-half.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls enjoyed a winner at Hexham with his first runner as Keltus, ridden by Sam Twiston Davies, won the Arup Anniversary Classic Novices Chase by two-and-a-half lengths.

Hexham course specialist Chicago Outfit, owned and trained by George Bewley and ridden by son Jonathon, took the three mile chase by 10 lengths, while odds-on favourite Caius Marcius, trained by Nicky Richards, won the Solar Signs UK ltd Novice Hurdle over two miles by two lengths.

In the final race of the evening, the Stuart Coltherd trained Seventeen Black, ridden by Grant Cockburn, claimed victory by two-and-a-half lengths in the Hexham and Northern Rural Handicap over two miles and four furlongs.

Racing action returns to Hexham on Saturday with the Great Run Company returning for a 20th year for a seven race card.

The first race is off at 1.50pm and the final race at 5.10pm, with the features being The Great North Swim Handicap Hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs and the three mile Great Run Company Handicap Steeple Chase.

The courtesy buses will pick up at Hexham railway station at 12.38pm and the bus station at 12.45pm.