Trainer Richard Fahey shines with a treble on Redcar's opening day

With Redcar launching its new season with a competitive eight-race card today (Monday, April 10), Fahey posted a quick double in the first two races with Invioble Spirit, under Tony Hamilton, and Noah Amor, ridden by Barry McHugh.

Fahey completed the hat-trick in the final race of the day, with 11-1 shot Sir Reginald Brown nosing home in front of short-priced favourite Benjamin Thomas in the capable hands of up and coming apprentice Connor Murtagh, son of northern trainer Barry Murtagh.

Another promising claimer, Nathan Evans, notched a rapid double for veteran North Yorkshire trainer Mick Easterby with Torrid, in the Racing UK Profits Returned To Racing Handicap, followed by Miss Sheridan, in the Racing UK Straight Mile Handicap.

Torrid’s owner, Jenny Bartram, of York, said: “I’d hoped he’d be placed but I’m delighted to see him win.

“It’s first time lucky because he’s the first horse I’ve had. He started off down south but got injured and was laid off for a while. Luckily, Mick Easterby picked him up with his excellent eye for a horse.”

Newmarket handler Peter Chapple-Hyam struck for the south with Paul Mulrennan guiding home the well-fancied Redician, owned by Melinda Quirk, of Harrogate, and her partner Paul Hancock, who made the trip from Brighton.

“We were left feeling a bit underwhelmed at the end of last season but we kept the faith and the journey north has proved to be well worth it,” said Mr Hancock, whose Marcel won the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in 2015.

Grand National legend Bob Champion was a surprise visitor to the seaside course.

Champion rode Aldaniti to victory in the 1981 Grand National after an epic battle against cancer and the story was turned into the film, Champions, starring John Hurt.

Champion, brought up in Guisborough, revealed he had ridden his first winner at Redcar – in a donkey derby as a seven-year-old.

“It was my local track and I’ve always been made to feel really welcome,” he said.