FORMER professional footballer and motor neurone disease campaigner Stephen Darby was at Redcar today to see his horse score.

Former Liverpool player Stephen, who is married to former Manchester City and England captain Steph Houghton, shares ownership of Darbucks with fellow former professional player Will Buckley.

Stephen, who was diagnosed with MND in 2018 and has launched a foundation to fund support for families affected by the disease, was able to greet the horse in the winner’s enclosure after success in the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap (Division 2).

Darbucks, ridden by Connor Beasley, was defying a penalty after winning at Ayr eight days ago.

Trainer Christopher Kellett said: "Stephen's an absolute legend and it's great that he could be here to see the horse win."

Another former professional footballer was on the scoresheet when Harry's Halo, trained at Newark by Kevin Frost and ridden by Jack Mitchell, won the Celebrate The Life of Christine Dixon Handicap.

The horse's owners include father and son, Nick and Dick Kryzwicki. Nick is a pro golfer at Halifax Golf Club, and his dad played football for West Brom, Huddersfield, and Lincoln. He was capped nine times for Wales and scored against England in 1969.

After Harry’s Halo had stayed on well to land the spoils, Nick said: "The only concern was whether the ground would be too soft, but he's done it well."

Mitchell secured a double when Times Edition forged well clear of market rival Walsingham in the Join Racing TV Now Novice Stakes for Newmarket trainer Roger Varian. It was consolation for the filly losing her previoust race in the stewards' room after bumping the runner-up at Pontefract.

There was also a double for jockey-trainer combination Clifford Lee and Karl Burke, starting with the well-backed Invitorio staying on well to land the opening Watch Live On Racing TV EBF Novice Stakes.

“He's still a big baby and will make a lovely three-year-old,” said Lee.

The partnership’s double came when debutante Convergent stayed on strongly in The Market Cross Jewellers British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes, a race won by the Fascinating Rock colt’s full sister, Molten Rock, last year.

Assistant trainer James Cowley said: “Everything with Convergant this year is a bonus because he has a lot of scope. He'll be a very nice horse next year."

The third double of the afternoon was achieved by Connor Beasley, who preceded his victory on Darbucks by winning the Sam Hall Memorial Handicap for Leyburn trainer Phil Makin on Impressor.

Co-owner John O'Loan, a retired builder, said: "It's marvellous! We thought he'd run well today – he's won here before, and he had his ground and distance."

Tim Easterby’s Temper Trap made it a 14th career win when landing the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap (Division 1) under a confident David Allan ride.

The jockey said: "He loves this ground he comes good at this time of year. Everything was in his favour today."

Isle of Wolves roared home in the last race, the Watch Racing Replays At racingtv.com Amateur Jockeys' Handicap to complete a cross-card double for Harriet Bethell, whose On The River won half an hour earlier at Haydock.

Winning rider Hannah Dring who said: "They went really quick but I know he stays and it worked out perfectly."