Racing unified in support of Hereford

The universal sense of satisfaction was evident from both trainers and jockeys following the eagerly-awaited return of racing at Hereford on Thursday.

A bumper crowd of 4,501 racegoers flocked through the gates at the Roman Road course to witness the first meeting back at the track since December 2012.

There was even, albeit on a much quieter scale, a roar like the first on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival to greet the runners as the tapes went up for the bet365/British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

Just like at this year’s Festival, which saw Nicky Henderson capture the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Altior, the two-mile prize went the way of a runner hailing from the Seven Barrows handler’s yard, with 1-2 favourite Rather Be coasting home by seven lengths.

Henderson said: “It’s great to be back and well done to everyone involved.

“When most things go, they go for good. Here is one that hasn’t.

“They have made a fantastic effort getting it back. We never wanted it to go and you never want to lose a course you enjoy or like.

“It’s always been a fair track. To come here and see a crowd like this shows what can be achieved.

“When you look at the crowd, that tells you enough and I’m sure that the Herefordshire National Hunt team are out in force, and that says it all.”

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls will always have fond memories of the track, having sent out Olveston to become his first winner as a trainer in December 1991.

Having saddled …

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