'Thankfully I hadn't set off' - Tom Bellamy makes the most of Hexham cancellation by riding novice hurdle winner

Tom Bellamy, riding at the Midlands track only because Hexham was called off earlier in the day, made most of the reroute when getting Sogna In Grande home on his debut over rules in the 2m5f novice hurdle.

The five-year-old was among an array of former point-to-pointers in the six-runner field and bossed matters from the early stages to reward support from 12-1 into 15-2 at flagfall.

The winner, who overcame favourite Dig Deep by three-quarters of a length, is trained by Bellamy's main backers Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls and could have a big future over fences further down the line.

Bellamy told Racing TV: "Thankfully, I hadn't set off when they called Hexham off this morning so was here bright and early. This looked a warm contest so to win like that was very pleasing."

Oneway traffic

Onewaywest made sure it was one-way traffic in the 2m3f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle when giving Elliott England just his third career win in impressive fashion.

The well-backed 11-4 joint-favourite (from 9-2) looked at home on the front-runners' track, going on to score by 12 lengths under England, who is attached to winning trainer Ben Pauling.

Chuggy keeps Skelton train rolling

Chuggy ran out the most impressive winner of the afternoon when extending his unbeaten record over fences in the 2m4f handicap chase for Dan and Harry Skelton.

It is no surprise the five-year-old is talented as he is a half-brother to his star stablemate The New Lion and looks to be on the upgrade since switching to chasing.

After his eight-length romp,  jockey Harry Skelton said: "He's going the right way and could drop back to two miles."

The Skeltons doubled up when Kykorock got up late to deny the gallant Bobbi's Beauty in the closing 2m handicap chase.

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