LOCAL owners Frank Green and John Chinn were celebrating at Hereford races as their Nevilles Cross upset the odds-on favourite Lost in Montmartre to win the two-mile five-furlong handicap chase.

Trained at Much Marcle by Tom Lacey and ridden by Ledbury-based jockey Stan Sheppard, the six-year-old was sent off 6/4 second favourite and Sheppard was always confident in the three runner race, writes Graham Saveker.

Jockey Bryony Frost took the opening two mile novices hurdle race with the 1/3 favourite Le Chiffre D’Or.

Winning trainer Paul Nicholls was on hand to welcome the easy winner back and recalled his first winner 30 years ago was at the Holmer track.

“It's nice to be back here," said Nicholls.

"We wanted to get experience into him that’s why we came here. Bryony said the ground was a really good."

Frost later partnered the outsider of the three runners Switch Hitter for Nicholls and local Ledbury owner Clive Hitchings in the extended three mile Novices Limited Handicap chase and the ex-handicap hurdler easily made the transition to fences.

Jumping well Switch Hitter was always travelling better than his two rivals Outonpatrol and No Anxiety and despite a determined effort by the runner-up over the final two fences Frost pushed her mount to challenge at the final fence going on well to win by a length.

Away from Hereford races Hoarwithy trainer Michael Scudamore was considering possible big-race targets for his novice hurdler Lebowski after his six-year-old was visually impressive when landing the 2m novice hurdle at Ffos Las last Sunday.

The well-backed 5-2 favourite overcame a long absence from the track to cruise home an easy six-length success under jockey Richard Patrick.

The winner was having his first run for Scudamore, who said: "He did very well last year for Adrian Wintle, but he was a little bit on the weak side. Over the summer he's really filled into his frame." Owner Mark Dunphy was celebrating a fine week after his smart Do Your Job had also scored for him at Warwick races on Friday.