DISPATCHES FROM THE SOUTH AND WEST MIDLANDS: 8 NOVEMBER

Alan Hill - celebrated 500th winner on Sunday (Hill Racing)

A treble for Ed Doggrell notwithstanding, the story of the day from racing at Buckfastleigh in Devon on Sunday was leading trainer Alan Hill’s 500^th career win between the flags and in Hunter Chases – a remarkable achievement – with Soldier Unknown. The appropriately named winner on Remembrance Sunday was partnered by champion jockey James King, and ran in the colours of Rodney Mann, for whom Hill has trained more winners than any other owner.

Ed Doggrell - title contender (Carl Evans)

Doggrell, expected to be a title contender himself this season riding for the powerful Chris Barber and Will Biddick yards, picked up his three victories on West Country-trained horses, the maidens Strictly Commercial and Strolling Along, and Just Loose Change in the Mixed Open. Finally, Joe O’Shea made the long journey down from Cheshire to take the closing Intermediate with ex-Irish Le Boum Retourne, who was impressive in the hands of Henry Crow in landing his trainer’s second success of the season.