ONE of the country's most experienced amateur jockeys Dale Peters, 35, finally ticked the 3m Paxtons Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters' Chase off his bucket list after landing the prestigious race on prolific Pointing winner Line Em Up at Hexham last Saturday.
Always in touch with pace-setting duo Bentley Road (Freddie Robson) and Imperial Imp (Ellie Callwood), the seven-year-old was headed at the last by Whatudoing (Joanna Walton).
After rallying to lead again by a length well inside the final furlong, Line Em Up idled in front and just did enough to repel a renewed challenge from Walton's mount by a head in a thrilling finish.
Based in Sawtry, just north of Huntingdon, this was a 220th career success for Peters, comprising 199 between the flags and 21 under Rules.
In his younger days, he was also a talented footballer and was selected to join the Ipswich Town youth academy at the age of 13.
He said: “This race is a big one in the amateur ranks and one I've always wanted to win before I pack up riding.
“Line Em Up travelled and jumped well, was in second gear all the way, and the race couldn't have gone any better really.
“He's still a baby and was having a good look around when he hit the front, but got the job done and is still on the upgrade.”
The winner is owned by Peters' auntie Beryl Close, who added: “He has improved all season and this has made Dale's dream come true. We'll have a big family celebration tomorrow.”
Champion jockey Sean Bowen kicked off proceedings in the rain with a bloodless victory on odds-on favourite Tap Tap Shamie in the 2m Harrison Family Remembering Loved Ones Novices' Hurdle Race.
Course winner Conquer The Breeze (Ryan Mania) struck gold on his first start for Seahouses trainer Adam Nicol in the 2m Charlie's Halfway To 100 Handicap Chase.
Always within three lengths of the leaders, Mania's mount recovered well from a bad mistake five out to hit the front at the third from home.
The well handicapped seven-year-old quickly settled the issue and had six-and-a-half lengths to spare over Ghasham (Jonathan England) at the finish.
No Regrets might be in the veteran stage of his career, but the Nicky Richards-trained gelding proved that age is just a number with a heart-warming success under Danny McMenamin in the 3m Paxtons Now Stocking Stihl Equipment Handicap Chase.
Sent straight into the lead, the twelve-year-old got his own way in front and produced a great exhibition of jumping. He went clear after two out and, despite tiring inside the final half-furlong, gamely repelled a late rally from Eaton Anne (Sean Bowen) by three-quarters-of-a-length.
After shaping well when third on his first start for Tristan Davidson's Irthington yard at Hexham a week earlier following a seven-month break, Perseus Way (Harry Reed) duly did the business off a potentially lenient mark in the valuable 2m4f Paxtons Number 1 For Case IH Handicap Hurdle Race.
Never far off the pace, the seven-year-old headed long time leader Sunset Hill (Nathan Moscrop) approaching the last and kept on well to score by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
Reed said: “Tristan does well sweetening up his new recruits and had no concerns over stepping Perseus Way up in trip.
“He was tanking along the whole way, stayed on well and was suited by the soft ground.”
Nigel Hawke-trained King Sacre (James Davies) rewarded connections for making the 720-mile round trip from Devon by reigning supreme in the first division of the 2m Jenni's Justatenner 50th Celebrations Handicap Hurdle Race.
In front from the off, the six-year-old top weight didn't see another rival and still had plenty left in the tank as he forged clear up the run-in to beat Scots Poet (Conor O'Farrell) by seventeen lengths.
Davies, 41, said: “Nigel is very busy at home and couldn't be here, but this has made the long journey worthwhile.
“He got himself wound up in the preliminaries down at the start, but got a flyer when the tapes went up and maintained a relentless gallop.”
Appreciating a drop in grade, Two Auld Pals (Gregor Walkingshaw) recorded a second course win in the concluding second division of the 2m Jenni's Justatenner 50th Celebrations Handicap Hurdle Race.
Always lying handy, the eight-year-old swept past leader Justlikefire (Sean Quinlan) off the home turn before staying on strongly to score impressively by 23 lengths on his return from a near three-month break.
The next two meetings at Hexham are on Tuesday, May 19 (First Race at 5.50pm) and Saturday, June 6 (First Race at 4.30pm), while the course also hosts the Haydon Point-to-Point fixture on Saturday, May 16 (First Race at 2pm).
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