FORMER 161-rated chaser Nassalam got his career back on track with a first win since landing the 2023 Welsh Grand National in the 3m Pointing Pointers Open Hunters' Chase at Hexham last week.
Always travelling strongly under record-breaking amateur jockey Gina Andrews, the Tom Ellis-trained nine-year-old was sent on more than a mile from home and, after going clear two out, stayed on well up the run-in to score by nine-and-a-half lengths from Whatdeawant (Lisa O'Connor).
This was a 567th career winner under all codes for Gina and husband Tom Ellis said: “After being pulled on his last five starts from Gary & Josh Moore's yard, owners John & Yvonne Stone decided he needed a change and switched him to me in February.
“A different routine and change of scenery has clearly rejuvenated him and his next target is a Warwick Hunters' Chase on May 1.”
James Owen's Newmarket raider Red Oak (Jonathan Burke) was one of three winning favourites on the card in the 2m carpetgallop.co.uk Where Performance Begins 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Race.
Imperfectlyperfect (Derek Fox) set a decent pace at the head of affairs from the off until headed before the last by Red Oak who kept on strongly to win, going away, by two-and-a-half lengths.
Burke, who had a treble at Wincanton the previous day and has now ridden a winner at every British racecourse apart from Kelso, said: “'He's a very good jumper and, after being taken off his feet early on, just got more and more dominant as the race unfolded.
“He'll probably be better on flat tracks and is a nice horse to go chasing with at the likes of Worcester and Newbury.”
The 2m Anthony Woods Electrical Lightning Bolt Handicap Chase was an incident-packed affair with six of the 12 runners out of the contest by the halfway stage.
Flash Du Pistolet (Sean Quinlan) led narrowly at the last but had nothing more to give when headed inside the last fifty yards by Kicksaftersix (Ryan Mania), who went on to score by one-and-a-quarter lengths.
All five career wins over fences for Kicksaftersix have come at Hexham, and Mania said of Martin Todhunter's charge: “He was very clever to avoid all the trouble during the race, as well as being short of room turning for home.
“He was ideally suited by the strong gallop over a shorter trip, and stayed on well at the finish.”
There was a dramatic conclusion to the 2m Horsylx-For Horse's Health & Welfare Mares' Handicap Hurdle Race, with pace-setting She's Notjoeking (Conner McCann) still three lengths clear after the last before being collared well inside the last 50 yards by Snapaudaciaheros (Charlie Maggs) and beaten three-quarters-of-a-length.
This was the first leg of a double for Maggs, who said: “It looked like the one who finished second had gone and won the race, but then mine really stuck her neck out and was up for a battle.
“The drop back down in trip suited, and she's probably won quite well in the end.”
Maggs doubled up on last month's course winner Gardener in the second division of the 2m4f Happy Retirement Maurice & Anne Barnes Handicap Hurdle Race.
Always prominent, the Mike Sowersby-trained ten-year-old led going easily before two out and was always doing enough in the closing stages to keep My Boy Christy (Peter Kavanagh) at bay by half-a-length and defy a 4lb higher mark.
Jamesieconn (Danny McMenamin) brushed aside top weight of 12st to complete a four-timer in the 3m Mick Walsh Open Ditch Handicap Chase and continue the red-hot form of Greystoke trainer Nicky Richards who has sent out nine winners from just 11 runners in the last fortnight.
Always close up, the seven-year-old headed long-time leader Rightbackatyou (Derek Fox) inside the final half-furlong before holding off a late challenge from Cheshire raider Streamsforth Lad (Alan Doyle) by half-a-length.
Stylish Recruit (Patrick Wadge) bounced back to form at his favourite track in the first division of the 2m4f Happy Retirement Maurice & Anne Barnes Handicap Hurdle Race.
Never headed on the final circuit, the eight-year-old found extra when it mattered in the home straight to repel Rock DJ's challenge by three-quarters-of-a-length.
David Kilahena & Graeme McPherson's decision to make the 560-mile round trip from their Gloucestershire yard with Blue Skies Ahead (Nick Slatter) was vindicated when the well related six-year-old sprinted clear of her rivals off the home turn to land the concluding 2m carpetgallop.co.uk Pro Fibre Surface Setting Standards Open National Hunt Flat Race by a comfortable four-and-a-quarter lengths from Dan's Allstar (Joe Williamson).
This was a landmark 50th career winner under Rules for Slatter, 33, since opening his account in the 2011/12 season, and he also partnered 26 winners between the flags before turning professional.
The next two meetings at Hexham are on Saturday, May 2, (First Race at 5.15pm) and Saturday, May 9, (First Race at 2.45pm), with the latter card featuring the prestigious Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters' Chase.
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