A TELEVISION personality attended Hexham Racecourse during the filming of a documentary.

Matt Baker filmed at the racecourse with his parents as part of the final episode of the More4 series, Matt Baker: Travels With Mum And Dad, where the Countryfile presenter and his parents travel throughout Northumberland.

The episode will be shown on tonight (Wednesday) at 9pm.

Matt told The Racing Post: "It was the final programme and what a way to have wrapped it up. We saw everything that was involved in the racing world."

Robert Whitelock, manager of Hexham Racecourse, said Matt and his parents attended the course on March 17 and they also went to the course at the beginning of March to pre-film material for the show.

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Matt and his parents also visited horse trainers in Northumberland and in Malton. 

They visited Ian and Anne Hamilton, trainers of the multiple race winner Tommy's Oscar from their farm in Capheaton. 

Matt also rode a racehorse trained by Ruth Jefferson, who is based in Malton. He was given tips and training by jockey Becky Smith.

Ruth also took them to Jack Berry House, which is a rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys, and White Rose Saddlery to see how equipment is made.

Robert said the various strands come together in the episode to help people understand racing better.

He said: "It gives people a better understanding of what happens in race day, behind the scenes.

"It will lift the profile of Hexham Racecourse. It's going out nationwide, and it will be good for the town and the county. The more interest we get, the better for local businesses - hotels and the hospitality industry do better from people attending the racecourse," he said.

Matt said: "Robert Whitelock at Hexham was so accommodating and he made everything happen. We even had a race named after us, the Matt Baker Travels with Mum and Dad Maiden Hurdle, which was such a wonderful surprise."

"Ruth was fantastic and she allowed me to ride an ex-winner at Hexham and it was brilliant to feel the power and to get up close to these incredible animals."

"Mum and Dad had a fantastic time and it was a brilliant way to wrap up the series. We're so grateful to everybody that was involved and I’m sure the viewers are going to love it."