CHARITY race day at Hereford provided a marvellous day's action in glorious sunshine with a number of good performances, including the win of Miss Pennyhill in the Advantage Office Prod-ucts Handicap Chase.

Ridden by Xavier Aizpuru in place of the intended Adie Smith, Miss Pennyhill was soon clear of her 17 rivals in the extended three-mile event and, despite a queue of challengers at the third-last fence, Aizpuru pushed his mount out for a decisive 12-length victory.

This was the second course win for Miss Pennyhill, owned and trained by Wolverly-based Jeff Sadik, who commented: "I told Xavier not to be afraid to make it. Miss Pennyhill won here before and was unlucky on her final run here last season as she was going well when she fell three out."

The Venetia Williams yard opened their account for the new season when Wild Spice took the three-mile Walton Maiden Hurdle, recording an easy 11-length success.

Travelling head lad Jerry Roberts confirmed that the stable had equalled last season's total of 74 winners but had won more prize money.

"We didn't have Teeton Mill to race for us but the likes of The Outback Way and Samakaan filled the gap and we ended up with about £100,000 more. We also picked up about £100,000 when The Outback Way finished third in Japan," he said.

Shobdon livery trainer Steve Flook scored his biggest success under rules at Cheltenham's Hunterchase evening last week when Shafi, owned by Glyn Byard and ridden by Michael Trottm, took the Filly Park Right Chase.

Flook, at Hereford to saddle the unplaced Merger Mania in the opening Hunters Chase, said of his success: "It's my biggest win under rules. We always knew he had the speed and on good ground he's a better horse. He runs at Warwick next but I want to run him in the Horse & Hound Cup at Statford as I'm sure he'll get the trip.".

The RB&B Hunters chase fell to the Lucinda Sweeting-ridden Look in the Mirror who was a seven-length winner from the odds-on favourite Ozzie Jones.