IT was a case of doubles all round for jockeys Derek Fox and Brian Hughes as well as the Kinross yard of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore at a windswept Hexham last Saturday.
Fox opened his account on odds-on favourite Finisk Pride, who relished the step up in trip in the 2m4f Project Rugby Community Maiden Hurdle.
He delivered the Russell and Scudamore-trained five-year-old gelding with a well-timed challenge to head Presentandcorrect (Nathan Moscrop) approaching the last before drawing clear up the run-in to score by seven-and-a-half lengths.
Bred to stay long distances, the winner was bought for £130,000 at Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale in November 2025 less than four weeks after landing a 3m Tinahely Maiden on his second Point-to-Point start.
Bogha Baiste (Sean Quinlan) and favourite Dark Tide Rising (Jack Hogan) disputed the lead from the off in the 2m Hitz Novices' Hurdle, but had nothing more to give when headed at the last by Hourman (Derek Fox).
Fox's mount forged clear in the closing stages to win, going away, by six-and-a-half lengths from unfancied stable companion Circle Of Steel (Patrick Wadge) who made up a lot of ground off the home turn to snatch second from Dark Tide Rising inside the final half-furlong on an eye-catching hurdling debut for the Russell and Scudamore yard.
Former champion jumps jockey Brian Hughes, 41, initiated a second Hexham double in the space of eight days on Patrick Neville-trained Medieval Gold in the valuable 2m7f Tackling Insight Handicap Hurdle.
Always in touch with pace-setting Lambourn raider Rebel Tribesman (Gavin Sheehan), the six-year-old was almost on terms at the last before edging in front on the flat, and there was only a head between them at the line after a sustained duel in the final half-furlong.
Hughes doubled up on Gary Hanmer-trained I've Got A Friend in the concluding 2m Clubs Of Northumberland Open National Hunt Flat Race.
The five-year-old led narrowly from the off until headed before halfway by Irish raider The Gloves Are Off (Ricky Doyle) who still appeared to be going best two furlongs out. However, Hughes' mount found another gear when it mattered to lead again inside the final furlong and score by one-and-three-quarter lengths in the style of a horse with a bright future.
The winner, who was conceding a minimum of 7lb to his five rivals, carried the same colours as former 172-rated chaser Sire De Grugy who won 17 of his 42 races, including five at Grade 1 level, and amassed career earnings of £885,000.
Ben Haslam-trained Passing Diamond (Richie McLernon) made it five wins from his last six starts in the valuable 2m4f Cast Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
Sent straight to the front, the six-year-old didn't see another rival as he maintained a relentless gallop and jumped fluently throughout. Course specialist Passengerontheship (Jonathan England) tried hard to get on terms from two out, but was always fighting a losing battle and still had two-and-a-half lengths to find at the line.
Middleham-based Haslam said: “He's been fantastic since joining us in January.
“His jumping has been impeccable, and he has been very progressive.
“We have campaigned him over the summer on decent ground in races that have suited him, but at some point he's going to encounter softer ground in a race that's more competitive.”
After being placed five times from twelve starts over hurdles since joining Iain Jardine's Carrutherstown yard in December 2025, Mr Lincoln (Sean Quinlan) struck gold on his first start over fences in the 2m Blaydon Races Handicap Chase.
Travelling strongly from the off and never far off the pace, the six-year-old headed Achille Des Rocs (Danny McMenamin) just inside the final furlong before forging clear to score impressively by eight lengths.
Sledgehammer (Charlie Maggs) landed a big gamble on his first start for Malton trainer Adrian Keatley in the 3m Tynedale RFC Community Rugby Handicap Chase.
After being patiently ridden in rear, the six-year-old made smooth headway from three out to hit the front at the last, and kept on well in the closing stages to beat top weight Wal Buck's (Derek Fox), who was trying to concede 26lb, by two-and-a-quarter lengths.
The next two meetings at Hexham are on Tuesday, October 20 (First Race at 2.01pm), and Friday, November 6 (First Race at 12.25pm).
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