THE finishing line couldn’t come fast enough for Pagan Starprincess, who gave Middleham’s George Moore a Wetherby Racecourse winner.

The five-year-old, ridden by Dougie Costello, had to battle all the way to the post in the wetherbyracing.co.uk Hurdle in a thrilling three-way fight in the £8,000 two-and-a-half mile contest.

It had looked in the bag following the final flight but both Terenzium, saddled by Micky Hammond, and Helens Vision stayed on gamely to make it a real challenge for the now four-time hurdle winner.

But Moore’s mare just held on for a valuable victory.

“I was quite hopeful if everything was right but the horses have just not been firing so it was nice to get a winner. She needs that ground,” Moore said.

A patient ride paid from Graham Lee dividends for West Witton trainer Ferdy Murphy.

As tiring horses wilted in the two mile £10,000 Book Corporate Hospitality at wetherbyracing.co.uk Chase, Le Roi Rouge (5-1) swept past after the final fence to win cosily by a length-and-a-quarter from Babe Heffron.

Murphy, whose versatile seven-year-old has won at a range of distances, said: “You can go anywhere with him.

“He’s a very consistent little horse and he just wants it. He has got a bit of heart.”

Lets Go Girls was a classy four-and-a-half length winner for Castleton’s Phil Kirby in the O2/Sony Ericsson Superstar 25 Novices’ Hurdle.

The 13-2 shot, ridden by apprentice Kyle James – based with Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson – slightly clipped the last but still recorded a straight forward victory over Seven Stars and long-time leader Papradon.

It was North York Moors-based Kirby’s fifth winner of the National Hunt campaign and the trainer was delighted with the display.

“She’s a nice mare and has just stopped a bit (in the past),” he said. “She has to have this ground.”

The £12,000 One Man Novices’ Chase went to Bingley trainer Sue Smith after the heavily backed Gansey (8-11 fav) eased past Rory Boy on the run-in.