EASTNOR trained Mactavish returned to Hereford Racecourse after month’s course success with another impressive for trainer Matt Sheppard and rider son Stan Sheppard.

Mactavish and Stan Sheppard were always travelling easily in the 10-runner field and swept into the lead at the second last fence, writes Graham Saveker.

However, 2/1 favourite Bertie Wooster rallied under jockey Brendan Powell on the run-in with Mactavish holding on by a nose.

Winning trainer Matt Sheppard commented: “He seems to like Hereford and he needs the ground to be on the faster side, we’ll probably keep him going if it doesn’t rain, there may be some races here at Hereford but as soon as we can’t find any fastish ground then we’ll probably let him off.”

Trainer Ben Pauling’s Cheltenham bumper winner Fiercely Proud was widely expected to run well in the opening race on the card, the two maiden hurdle but the favourite was the ex-flat performer Adjuvant who was sent off the 11/10 favourite.

In the end the favourite turned in a disappointing run with his effort ending at the third last hurdle, before fading out of contention whilst Fiercely Proud, despite showing signs of greenness moved clear of the field to win by nine and a half lengths under jockey Kielan Woods.

Trainer Joe Tizzard, who missed out with Bertie Wooster to Mactavish, gained later compensation when his Pedley Wood made a successful chasing debut under Brendan Powell in the three-mile one-furlong novice handicap chase.

Despite only four runners going to post Pedley Wood, Abuffalosoldier and Tedwin Hills duelled over the final circuit before Pedley Wood asserted going to the final fence and won by two and three quarters of a length from Abuffalosoldier.

Veteran trainer Nicky Henderson’s fine run of form continued at the track when his Aston Martini made a successful hurdling debut giving the trainer at the time a sixth winner from his last seven runners, justifying being sent off 6-4 favourite in the mares’ maiden hurdle by nine lengths.