HEREFORD Racecourse had to pass two inspections before racing could take place on Monday following severe overnight rain and local owner Tony Paton was pleased it did as his Kadito was a convincing winner of the Novices Handicap Chase, writes Graham Saveker.

Paton, from Fownhope, has long been a supporter of racing with his previous involvement as an owner with Kadastrof and Kadastra, the dam of Kadito, often with trainer Robin Dickin, and this was Kadito's second course win for the owner and trainer.

Ridden by Ben Hitchcock, Kadito was always travelling well and the partnership drew clear of the 15 rivals to score decisively from runner-up Johnlegood with Snow Partridge back in third place.

Presteigne trainer Richard Lee was out of luck when his odds-on favourite Macnance was beaten by Nicky Henderson's 25/1 outsider Scottish Dance in the Mares Novice Hurdle.

But the stable struck in the Hunters Chase when Macgeorge, the 13-year-old full brother to Macnance, belied his years to score easily from joint favourite Be My Dream with Jemaro back in third place.

The meeting opened with a 20/1 shock result as Three Lions, ridden by Tom Scudamore, stretched the field in the back straight of the Handicap Hurdle. Despite a threatening run from Impish Jude, who ran out of steam at the final hurdle, the partnership stayed on well to please Scudamore backers.

Clerk of the course Jason Loosemore is soon to leave to take up the same position at Newton Abbott.

Loosemore, who has so ably followed in the footsteps of John Williams, had mixed feelings about leaving.

"I was very flattered to be offered the position and, as I'm from that neck of the woods, it was a big attraction to go back that way. But I will be sad to leave as I have made a number of good friends around here," he said.