HORSE RACING: Plenty to entertain a big Boxing Day turnout at Huntingdon Racecourse

Huntingdon Racecourse welcomed its biggest attendance of the year when almost 7,000 spectators turned out on Boxing Day.

And the final fixture of 2016 provided plenty of excitement along with a couple of notable milestones.

Jockey Fergus Gregory claimed his first-ever winner when steering Miss Tongabezi to glory for trainer Paul Webber in the Lettergold Handicap Hurdle, and Martin Keighley toasted the 200th winner of his training career when Ballymountain Boy landed the spoils in the finale - the Keep Calm And Carry On Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.

That was a second triumph of the day for jockey Andrew Tinkler, who had also guided Bagging Turf (trained by Gary Moore) home in front in the Drummond Family Novices’ Handicap Chase.

It was a happy return to the saddle for jockey Page Fuller after three months’ out with a broken ankle.

She enjoyed success aboard Kapgarde King in the Katy And Amy Drummond Handicap Chase.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Rather Be is being aimed at the Cheltenham Festival after success in the Lettergold Asset Management Ltd Novices’ Hurdle.

That was one of two odds-on winners, with favourite Caprice D’Anglais also triumphing in the Lettergold Water Treatment Solutions LLP Handicap Chase.

The opening Lettergold Plastics Ltd Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle went the way of 7-2 shot Cadeau George for jockey Tom Bellamy and trainer Ben Pauling.

The next fixture at Huntingdon is on January 13.