Elusive Dreams makes winning debut at Hexham course

Sent straight to the front in the 2m4f carpetgallop.co.uk Maiden Hurdle by Cumbrian jockey Danny McMenamin, the well related six-year-old travelled strongly and, after being sent clear approaching the last, still had plenty left in the tank as he crossed the line eleven lengths ahead of Jeu De Maine (Patrick Wadge).

The former Enda Bolger-trained gelding had employed similar tactics under Josh Halford when landing a 3m Loughrea Maiden in good style on debut between the flags last October before changing hands less than five weeks later for £85,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale. His dam Blessingindisguise is an unraced half-sister to 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth.

After a string of near misses in recent weeks, this was a welcome first winner of the new jumps season for Great Bavington-based trainer Ann Hamilton, who said: ''We've had to be patient as he's had all kinds of problems since we bought him last November, but he's a nice horse and something to look forward to.

"He's nicely bred, seems to have an engine, and we'll look after him so we can hopefully have some fun this season."

The six-year-old carries the colours of husband Ian, who added: ''Danny was chuffed to bits with him and said that was just his cantering pace.''

McMenamin had earlier initiated a double on the Nicky Richards-trained mare Ruby Island in the valuable 2m4f carpetgallop.co.uk Handicap Chase.

Always in touch with the leaders, the nine-year-old was produced with a perfectly timed challenge to head Sean Og (Sean Quinlan) after the last and won going away, by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

McMenamin said: "Her attitude is second to none. She landed a bit steep over two out and the front pair got a march on her, but she came back on the bridle as soon as we hit the rising ground.

"She had a great season last year and felt as good as ever on her return."

Imperfectlyperfect and Kool Raoul provided the Kinross yard of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore with another Hexham double and the in-form training partnership kept the bandwagon rolling with an across the card treble the following day.

Imperfectlyperfect (Gregor Walkingshaw) made it three wins from four starts at Hexham in the 2m Sidgwick Memorial Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase.

Given a positive ride, the six-year-old didn't see another rival and maintained a relentless gallop all the way to the line to win unchallenged by six-and-a-half lengths from Diamond Mix (Charlie Maggs).

Walkingshaw said: "He schooled well for me at Perth a few weeks ago and so had a bit of an edge on him before coming here for his chasing debut.

"He got in a great rhythm, has a high cruising speed, and that was a very professional performance."

Kool Raoul (Patrick Wadge) comfortably followed up last month's course success off a 6lb higher mark in the 2m4f carpetgallop.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.

Always prominent, the six-year-old led narrowly at the last before keeping on well to beat Snowrocco (Ryan Mania) by two-and-a-quarter lengths and is still on an upward curve.

In a blanket finish for the minor honours, only half-a-length separated the runner-up from fifth-placed Punxsutawney Phil (Jamie Hamilton) who had forced the pace until being headed at the last.

The Russell and Scudamore yard was denied a treble in the 3m1f carpetgallop.co.uk Handicap Chase when last month's course winner C'Mon So (Patrick Wadge) was overhauled inside the last fifty yards by Defence Witness (Jonathan England) and beaten a neck after looking set for victory when three lengths up at the last.

This was a 10th winner from 24 runners at Hexham this season for Guiseley-based trainer Sam England, and husband Jonathan said of the seven-year-old: "For a little horse he's shown a very willing attitude, and did well after twice being hampered inside the final mile.

"He's a neat and tidy jumper, and is saving energy all the time."

Anthony Honeyball's Dorset raider Kamille Au Kanada (Chad Bament) made the 720-mile round trip worthwhile when easily defying a 12lb penalty in the 2m Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

The progressive six-year-old led all the way and, after forging clear off the home turn, cruised home fifteen lengths ahead of Queen Lily (Brian Hughes).

Bament said: "She's very game, hard as nails, has a great way of doing everything, and quite happy to be out in front on her own.

"She has a lovely attitude and that was a good effort less than a fortnight after her last win at Hereford."

De Deli Counter (Jamie Hamilton) was the fourth pillar to post winner on the seven-race card in the concluding 3m Debra Corner Happy Birthday Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old gamely kept hat-trick seeking Crafty Gael (Sean Quinlan) at bay in the closing stages to score by three-quarters-of-a-length.

After saddling only one winner over jumps in the previous six months, this was a welcome second winner in four days for Mark Walford's Sheriff Hutton yard.

The next two meetings at Hexham are on Wednesday, November 18 (First Race at 1.03pm), and Wednesday, December 9 (First Race at 12.31pm). In addition, the inner Point-to-Point track hosts the Border fixture on Sunday, November 29 where a six-race card starts at 12.30pm.