DENIS O’REGAN returned to one of his old stomping grounds to great acclaim as he lifted the Watt Fences North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick on General Hardi.

O’Regan rode plenty of winners at the Richmondshire venue as stable jockey to Howard Johnson, but since his split with the trainer and subsequent move down south to Lambourn he is a less frequent visitor these days.

Partnering the 10-year-old for John Wade, he appeared to be in a hopeless position rounding the final bend as the favourite According To Pete reeled in long-time leader Star Beat.

However, O’Regan got a great tune out of the 16-1 shot inside the final furlong to win by half a length.

‘‘It was great. He’s a very genuine horse and stays well.

To be fair to Brian Hughes he told me all about him so a bit of the credit must go to him,’’ said O’Regan.

‘‘He said he if he isn’t travelling early doors just let him find his own feet.

“I’m delighted for John Wade really, he’s such a top man and always gives me rides when he can.

‘‘Unfortunately he broke his leg skiing and he’s at home so this might cheer him up.

‘‘I was never happy being wide early on so I took him back and when he got into a rhythm on the inside he enjoyed it.

“Once we turned in he took off.’’ Micky Hammond won with his first runner since the big freeze at Doncaster on Wednesday and the Middleham man maintained his redhot form with a 1581/2-1 double.

His four-year-old Danceintothelight (9-2) gamely held on from Shadows Lengthen in the catterickbridge.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle.

The four-year-old would now be three from three but for a last-flight fall at Wetherby.

‘‘He’s taken to jumping really well, he was unlucky when he fell at Wetherby and other than one mistake at the last he jumped well at Hexham.

He jumped really well today and that probably won him the race,’’ said Hammond.

‘‘He’s worthy of a chance in a slightly better race, he copes with this ground but good ground is ideal. I’ll have to have a word with the boss Mr Roper and see what we are going to do.’’ Young Joe Colliver will never forget the Leeds Handicap Hurdle as Sang Deng (28- 1) provided him with his first winner.

Kim Bailey is now without a winner at only Hexham of all the courses in the United Kingdom after Mark Twain (9- 4 favourite) took the yorkshire4x4.

com Adventure Activities Juvenile Maiden Hurdle under Jason Maguire.

Having been in training with Aidan O’Brien as a juvenile, the Rock Of Gibraltar gelding failed to make waves but could have a future over obstacles.

Howard Johnson’s Glencree (7-2 favourite) defied a 633-day absence in the Wakefield Beginners’ Chase after which James Reveley was taken to hospital following a fall from Karingreason.

Reveley’s luck was totally out as he missed a winner for his father, Keith, on Heavenly Chorus (7-2) in the W. L. And Hector Christie Memorial Trophy.

He was replaced by amateur Colm McCormack.