CUMBRIAN jockey Danny McMenamin was the one to follow for a near-record sun-drenched Ladies Day crowd at Hexham as Dolly Dior and High Dancer provided him with a 388-1 double.
Patrick Neville-trained Dolly Dior sprang a 50-1 surprise on only her fourth career start in the 2m4f Chris Lowther & Brian Ellison 28 Years Maiden Hurdle.
After being sent on three out, Susan Corbett-trained hurdling debutant Beyond The Verge (Nathan Moscrop) was still three lengths ahead at the last before being reeled in by McMenamin's mount, who asserted inside the last 50 yards to score by a neck.
Nicky Richards-trained High Dancer completed McMenamin's double in the 2m Jethro's Cafe Of Haltwhistle Handicap Hurdle.
Always prominent, he headed long-time leader Winds Of Winter (Conor Rabbitt) off the home turn, and was two lengths up at the last from favourite Perseus Way (Harry Reed) before keeping on well to score with a bit in hand by two-and-three-quarter lengths.
The runner-up lost nothing in defeat as he was trying to defy a 14lb higher mark than he won off here on May 9, while the useful Winds Of Winter is worth following next time out at Cartmel.
Conquer The Breeze (Ryan Mania) continued his love affair with Hexham as he recorded a fourth course-and-distance success, and a third win in four starts for his new yard, in the 2m Matfen Hall Hotel Handicap Chase.
Sent on up the hill after two out, the progressive seven-year-old quickly settled the issue and was seven lengths in front of Parisencore (Danny McMenamin) at the last before comfortably maintaining that advantage all the way to the line.
Mania said: “He was actually off the bridle most of the way, but locked on as soon as he got to the foot of the hill.
“He's growing in confidence, he's got better and better, and today was foot perfect at his fences, so I'm delighted with him.”
The gelding's Seahouses-based trainer Adam Nicol added: “It was genuine soft ground when he won here the first time for us last month and it's good summer ground now which he's handled well. There will be a lot more options for him in the winter.
“There's a 2m 0-115 race at Perth in July, so we could go there, but we could also just back off him and have him ready for the start of the winter jumps season.”
After finishing runner-up in three of his last four starts, Newport (Tom Midgley) defied a career-high mark of 98 when deservedly going one better in the 2m L&R Pest Control Services Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old finally overhauled pace-setting Malangen (Jack Stenhouse) off the home turn and was four lengths ahead at the last before staying on strongly under top-weight to score by five-and-a-half lengths for the in-form Iain Jardine yard.
Passengerontheship (Jonathan England) completed a Hexham four-timer in the space of 33 days in the 2m4f Tynedale Function Suite Handicap Chase.
Given another positive ride, the seven-year-old was very slick at his fences as he made every yard of the running to beat West Lawn (Charlie Maggs) by nine-and-a-half lengths.
England said: “He's a very good jumper and didn't make a mistake.
“We used to hold him up in his races, but now he seems better off in front.
“He's versatile as regards trip and is ideally suited by a stiff finish at the likes of Carlisle and Hexham.”
Sandy Thomson-trained Stylish Recruit seems to reserve his best form for Hexham and duly recorded a third course win in the concluding 3m Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Patrick Wadge.
Always prominent, he headed long-time leader Myfavouritesister (Charlie Maggs) at the final flight before repelling a sustained challenge up the run-in from favourite Miss Kassiopi (Harry Skelton) to score by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Thomson said: “The last time we ran him over fences at Newcastle in January, jockey Brian Hughes said he just wasn't interested and almost pulled himself up after jumping the first.
“Fair play to owner Fiona Telfer for sending back over hurdles. He's now won twice since then and finished second, and would also have been placed here had the saddle not slipped.
“He doesn't act on right-handed tracks, so there's no point in running him at the likes of Market Rasen and Perth over the summer.
“He'll now enjoy a well-earned break, and will definitely be back here in October.”
After the course's traditional three-month summer break, National Hunt Racing will return to Hexham on Friday, October 2, followed by a further five pre-Christmas fixtures.
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