Griffin & Croke on the mark at Hexham Irish trained runners won the first two at Hexham this afternoon with Brian Hughes aboard both. The Patrick Griffin trained Captain Hox got the ball rolling in the opening Northumberland College 'National Hunt' Novices´ Hurdle. Sent off the 1/2 favourite, he hit the front after two out, and despite being pressed at the last he kept on well close home to score by a length and a half. Grange Hall made it an Irish 1, 2 as he finished second under Johnny Moore for Paul Stafford, at 4/1. Speaking on attheraces Griffin's son James said: "He is a son of Danehill Dancer but he is a stamp of a National Hunt horse and he will progress. "When he gets easier ground back over fences, and over two miles, or two and a quarter, that's when he is going to turn into the 130, 140 horse we think he could be. "Siobhan (winning owner Siobhan Ryan) is a daughter-in-law of Cathal Ryan of Cork All Star, Colonel Yeager fame. It is our first horse for Swordlestown Stud and we are very lucky that they sent him to us. "He has progressed, we have given him a little bit of time, and he has improved with each run. His Irish form is very good and we didn't have to improve him too much from Tony Martin, but he has won twice for us now this season and it's great to be able to do that for his owners. "Paul Stafford, who has the runner-up, trains about 500 yards down past us and we use his gallop. He drove the lorry over, he has two runners, and we brought Peter Croke's horse over as well. "It only costs about 150 Euros per horse to get here and we have a brilliant exchange rate at the moment so it works out well." Brian Hughes doubled up in the Northumberland College Engineering Maiden Hurdle as he guided Peter Croke's Definite Solider to a two length success. The son of Definite Article was sent off the 9/4 joint-favourite for this three mile contest and having tracked the leaders throughout he improved to dispute after the third last. He was ridden to led after the last and he kept on well on the run-in to see off the other joint-favourite Alto Des Mottes. Brian Hughes said afterwards: "He had a good run at Ayr and a good run the last day. This was a lot lesser race and he appreciated the step up in trip and the better ground. "It is only the fourth run of his life so he is entitled to improve. He was still a bit green when he hit the front and he is a grand type of horse." Elsewhere on the card Paul Stafford's West Ship Master was beaten just a length in the Northumberland College Stem Centre Handicap Chase. Sent off a 9/1 chance he hit the front before the straight but was headed at the last and despite keeping on gamely on the run-in he couldn't peg back Resolute Reformer who was returned the 9/4 favourite.
