Hughes shows champion class with double headed by impressive Sam's Adventure

Brian Hughes showed all the qualities befitting a champion jockey with a 149-1 double headlined by the surprise success of Sam's Adventure in the Betfair Tommy Whittle Chase.

Racking up winners at midweek meetings in the north might have been crucial to Hughes's first title last season, but he is also a rider for the big occasion.

Having opened up a gap from Harry Cobden in the title race, the reigning champion gave a timely reminder he is very much the one to beat again by winning the two Haydock races shown on ITV4.

Hughes struck first on Albert's Back in the 2m3f handicap hurdle before the Brian Ellison-trained Sam's Adventure landed the Tommy Whittle at 14-1.

"It's been a great day," said Hughes. "Brian and his team fancied him today, although his win was a surprise to me. He did have a chance on the best of his form and he's a good jumper who stays well."

Sam's Adventure, owned by Julie and Phil Martin, came right back to form and has the potential to progress further for Ellison, who stayed at home in Malton "on grandad duties".

Albert's Back made it a good day for dual-purpose trainers in Yorkshire when defying an alarming market drift – 9-1 (from 7-2) – to score for Mick Easterby.

Brian Hughes: double boosts his lead at the top of the jockeys' tableCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's a big, strong horse who likes this ground and the step up in trip has suited him," Hughes said. "He went chasing and jumped well, but Mick's horses weren't in as good a form as they are now, and it might be something we could revisit."

The Tommy Whittle was marred by the death of the Venetia Williams-trained Roll Again, who suffered a fatal injury when falling as a loose horse.

Exciting Cheddleton impresses

Connections of Cheddleton were thinking long term after the exciting five-year-old won a hot 2m½f novice chase in style.

After superseding Grade 1 hurdle winner Cornerstone Lad as favourite, Cheddleton had that rival's measure in the home straight, pulling clear comfortably to win by six lengths.

The performance promises much for the future and Alan O'Keeffe, partner and assistant to trainer Jennie Candlish, is already looking towards next season.

"We've always liked him and that was impressive," he said. "His jumping was very good and he'll get further in time.

"We'll have to go up in grade now, but he's still a baby and we'll look after him for next season. He could go for something like the Kingmaker at Warwick and that could be him for the season."

Nada To Prada goes extra yarda for black type

Michael Scudamore deflected some of the praise to owners Lynne and Angus Maclennan after Nada To Prada gained an important, black-type win in the Listed mares' novice hurdle.

"I'm really pleased as we were considering going down the handicap route, but Lynne and Angus wanted to go for this race as they went close in it last year," said the trainer.

"This was her main target and as a nice, big mare, you'd like to see her over a fence in time."

Queenohearts is 'a mare worth waiting for'

Stuart Edmunds produced a great training feat to get Grade 2 winning hurdler Queenohearts back to winning ways on her first start for nearly two years in the 3m½f handicap hurdle.

"I think she's a bit better than her mark," said the trainer. "She had a bit of a leg and we got her back in, but it showed itself, so we had to back off her. She's a mare worth waiting for and we'll stay over hurdles this season."

Chti Balko cruises home

The pressure of carrying Sea Pigeon's colours is proving too much for Tegerek.

Withdrawn after declining to go out on the track at Cheltenham last week, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained hurdler got down to the start this time, but refused to line up and was withdrawn again.

Even if Tegerek had consented to race, he would have faced a tall order trying to rein in the Donald McCain-trained Chti Balko, who bolted up by 26 lengths to land a third course-and-distance success.

Results, replays and analysis

Read more:

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