Lodge Lane ran below expectations at Cheltenham but he was back on song in the EBF/D M Hall Future Champions “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Perth.

Co Down handler Liam Lennon notched his first winner under Rules for five years as Mr Multifix led home an Irish one-two in the ROA Scotland Supports Scottish Racing Maiden Hurdle at Ayr.

On a seven-race Wetherby card consisting of six hurdles and a bumper, it was somewhat ironic the chasing-bound Overserved put up the most exciting performance of the afternoon.

Conditions were very testing at Carlisle but Minster Shadow relished the mud flying as he ran out a game winner of the opening TurfTV Novices' Chase.

Turpin Green got back to winning ways in the Edward Hanmer Memorial Graduation Chase at Haydock – but it was a race not without incident.

Neil Mulholland made a dream return to action after a seven-month spell on the sidelines with victory aboard Storymaker at Carlisle.

Hollows Mist responded to all Richard McGrath’s calls to gamely hold Irish raider Drumnavaddy Lough by a neck in the Knauf Insulation “It’s Time To Save Energy” Handicap Chase at Newcastle.

Aintree is on the agenda for the Philip Hobbs-trained Lord Henry after his all-the-way romp in the Berkshire Life Novices’ Chase at Ascot.

Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee stole the show at Ayr with a 20-1 treble highlighted by Marshall Hall, who completed a hat-trick in impressive fashion in the Guinness Handicap Chase and set himself up for a trip to the Punchestown Festival in the process.

Richard McGrath rode a finely-judged race to bring the Jim Goldie-trained 10-1 chance Kyber home in front in the Foster’s Super Chilled Handicap at Musselburgh.

Richard Johnson made the dash to Haydock worthwhile when he rode Richard Lee’s Mister Potter to victory in the Red Square Vodka “Fixed Brush” Novices’ Hurdle.

Alan Dempsey dominated proceedings at Ayr this afternoon with a 59-1 double courtesy of Kempski and Chief Dan George.

Royal Rosa continued on the comeback trail with a convincing success in the One Man Novices’ Chase at Wetherby.

Middleham trainer Pat Haslam sent out another winner in the famous silks of JP McManus when Monsieur won the totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle under an enterprising ride from Barry Keniry at Wetherby.

Everything fell into place for Supreme Prince as he gained his first success of the season under a fine ride from Richard Johnson in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase at Ayr.

Graham Lee rescued his weekend with a 6-1 treble at Musselburgh courtesy of Some Touch, Masafi – both trained by Howard Johnson for Graham Wylie – and Snowy.

Nicky Richards has all but ruled out sending his promising Jazz D’Estruval for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

Howard Johnson’s powerful string has suffered a few reverses in recent days but Deja Vu got the County Durham trainer back in the winning groove at Sedgefield today.

Inglis Drever will bid to establish himself as one the leading candidates for Champion Hurdle next March when having his first start of the season in the Pertemps “Fighting Fifth” Hurdle at Newcastle tomorrow.

Richard McGrath enjoyed a profitable afternoon when heading north over the border and riding a 194-1 treble at Perth.

Simply Supreme, trained by Sue Smith and ridden by Richard McGrath, has won the Martell Cognac Sainsbury's Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree today.

Martin Todhunter is on the way to a seasonal best after recording his first treble at Newcastle.

Gunner Welburn, fourth in last season’s Martell Cognac Grand National, is on course for another crack at the Aintree marathon following his return to winning form in a dramatic skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby yesterday.

Sue and Harvey Smith certainly have an eye for a bargain and they completed a double at Kelso today with Royal Emperor and Cill Churnain, who between them cost less than 6,000gns.

Richard McGrath, who broke a cheekbone in two places at Sedgefield last month, hopes to be back in action on Wednesday week.

SHOTGUN WILLY has been declared for Saturday’s Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National at Ayr but is likely to miss the race, according to owner Graham Roach.

A FORMER convent and school building overlooking Kinsale town in Cork may be in line for conversion to over 200 new houses and apartments.

Richard McGrath, who was stood down for three weeks after taking a crashing fall at Wetherby last month, is set return to the saddle at Catterick on Thursday.

Richard McGrath, who was stood down for three weeks after taking a crashing fall at Wetherby last month, is set return to the saddle at Catterick on Thursday.