Trainer Sam enjoys double delight at Hexham course

Recent course winner Passengerontheship made virtually all the running when justifying favouritism off a 6lb higher mark in the 2m4f Marrill Group Stamping Futures Handicap Chase.

England's mount was challenged from three out by hat-trick seeking Conquer The Breeze (Ryan Mania) before being left clear when his rival stumbled on landing at the last, and then had to dig deep to repel Halpha Soleil's late thrust by a neck with Bridgend raider Manhattan Valley (Jack Tudor) staying on well in the closing stages to claim third.

The versatile Glory And Honour, who is just as effective over fences as he is over hurdles, doubled up for the in-form Sam England yard with a first success since June 2025 in the 2m ogledigital.co.uk Google Ads Tailed Off Too Handicap Hurdle.

Given a positive ride, the evergreen 10-year-old led or disputed the lead from the outset with last month's course winner Two Auld Pals (Gregor Walkingshaw) before edging in front again at the last.

He found plenty when the chips were down in a driving finish and just did enough to score by a diminishing head from the rallying Well Educated (Jonathon Bewley), with Irish raider Stay In The Game (Paddy Hanlon) half-a-length away in third.

Jonathan said: “He can be a weak finisher, but I was able to dictate my own fractions to a degree out in front, and he probably has a lot more toe than most of these.

“He really enjoyed himself today, and it suits him round here being able to free-wheel down the hill.

“When he came under pressure he'd taken the sting out of the race and he'll back here over fences on June 21.”

James Murray, 20, celebrated his second winner under Rules from only six rides on John Wainwright-trained Follow The Leader in the 2m4f Marjorie Thompsett Auntie Marj Memorial Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

Pace-setting veteran Malangen (Jack Stenhouse) was still 25 lengths clear two out before being quickly reeled in by the unfancied Follow The Leader (James Murray) at the top of the hill as they turned for home.

In command and three lengths up at the last, Murray's mount stayed on well up the run-in to beat Malangen by 12 lengths, with favourite Fine Point (Patrick Mullins), who was trying to concede 22lb to the winner and runner-up, a never dangerous third.

Owned by former jumps jockey Tony Ross, the well handicapped winner had been off the track for 14 months prior to a spell between the flags earlier this year during which he got off the mark at Hornby Castle.

Originally from County Wexford, Murray learned his trade in Irish point-to-points where he partnered eight winners, including four last season, before crossing the Irish Sea to join Mickey Bowen's Haverfordwest yard last month, and he has ambitions to eventually turn professional.

Champion trainer Dan Skelton's sole runner Tiny Riot (Tristan Durrell) got the better of odds-on favourite Sudbury Hill (Paul O'Brien) in the 2m Most Important 3-Year-Old Race Today Juvenile Hurdle.

Always prominent, he was much slicker over the last than his main rival before drawing clear up the run-in to score comfortably by four-and-a-half lengths, with Irish raider Mount Eden (J.J.Slevin) snatching third near the finish.

Bought for £42,000 at Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale on May 1, 2025, the winner had been steadily progressive in 4 runs on the Flat before making the switch to hurdles.

On his first start for Otterburn trainer Susan Corbett, pace-setting Foxinthebox (Ryan Mania) made a bold bid for glory in the 3m Hexham Racecourse Holiday Home & Caravan Park Handicap Chase and was still four lengths up at the last before being overhauled inside the final half-furlong by South West Wales raider Sir Carnegie (Shane Fenelon)-an 11th winner in the first five weeks of the new jumps season for Mickey Bowen.

Patiently ridden by Fenelon and sharpened up by first-time blinkers, the progressive six year-old made smooth headway down the back straight on the final circuit to get into contention before responding well when it mattered and had one-and-a-quarter lengths in hand over the rallying No Regrets (Danny McMenamin) at the line, with the gallant Foxinthebox a further three-quarters-of-a-length away in third.

Fenelon said: “He's a brilliant jumper, but is very laid back and needs to be held up in his races.

“Once you get within 10 lengths of the leader you know you've got a chance as he's so genuine, and it's just a matter of getting there at the right time.”

Nicky Richards-trained Abbey Scope (Danny McMenamin) sent favourite backers home happy after landing the concluding 2m7f Tricia Hughes Memorial Handicap Hurdle in good style.

Always in touch with the leaders, but still with plenty to do in fifth place after jumping two out, the home-bred six-year-old swept to the front before the last and then stayed on well up the run-in to score by two-and-three-quarter lengths from Stylish Recruit (Patrick Wadge), with long time leader Dinons (Joshua Thompson) a further 13 lengths way in third.

Home-bred by the Roper Family from Cumbria, the winner was following up last month's Kelso victory off a 6lb higher mark, and McMenamin said: “He's still learning and seemed to relish the step up in trip.

“He probably didn't really enjoy coming down the hill after three out, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt and just let him come up the hill into the home straight in his own time without applying too much pressure, and it's worked out well in the end.”

The last two meetings at Hexham before the course takes its traditional three-month break are on Saturday, (First Race at 1.42pm) and Sunday, June 21 (First Race at 2.13pm).