Churchman finally got off the mark over hurdles with a narrow victory at Stratford's season finale, which attracted 64 runners across seven races.

Jonathan Burke produced the eight-year-old with a late challenge to win the 2m 2f Blaze A Trail Stratford Hero Handicap Hurdle by a short head from Finjimk.

Churchman had finished second on several occasions but secured his first success over hurdles at the 23rd attempt. River Glance, who was sent off joint favourite, finished third, a further one and a half lengths behind.

Five of the seven races went to favourites, including two impressive performances in the divisions of the EBF qualifier.

Forthfactor maintained his unbeaten record with a dominant display in the second division for trainer Dan Skelton. Sent off at 1/8, he made all the running under his jockey to win by 24 lengths from Rock On Ronnie, giving Skelton his 122nd winner of the season.

Henrietta Knight also enjoyed success in the first division as Red Metal made all to beat Dan Skelton's Brecharnon by three and three-quarter lengths. The victory was Knight's ninth as a trainer and the sixth individual horse to provide her with a winner.

Trinity Street also made a successful return to Stratford for trainer Henry Daly, winning the five-year-old mare's maiden under Sam Twiston-Davies.

The pair made all the running to score by five and a half lengths, with the mare building on the promise she showed when finishing fourth in a Grade Two novice handicap at Newbury in March.

Twiston-Davies doubled up later on the card, partnering And So It Begins to a one-and-a-quarter-length victory for trainer Anthony Honeyball.

There were also two convincing performances in the handicap chases.

Gatineau Park made all in the first of them, the six-year-old pulling clear to win by five lengths under Tom Bellamy, who was making his return from injury.

The horse, trained by Kim Bailey, had moved into handicap company after his novice hurdling campaign last season and justified that decision with a determined performance.

One Last Glance provided a second winner for Tom Gretton in the 2m 6f John Rowe Handicap Chase, also scoring by five lengths.

Despite making mistakes at the third fence and the last, the horse was able to maintain his advantage under Conor O'Farrell.

The meeting also marked the retirement of racecourse doctor Philip Pritchard, who is stepping down after many years in the role.

A former amateur jockey, Pritchard has been a popular figure in the weighing room and has provided support to riders on health and wellbeing matters during his time at Stratford.