Racegoers  this afternoon were treated to some hugely exciting finishes as the curtain came down on another fantastic Jump season at the track.

The Jump Season Finale was run supporting Sport Relief for the first time, one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events which brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives across Britain and the world.

Newbury was one of six courses across the country racing this weekend that pledged a donation of £1 to Sport Relief for every online ticket sold.

And to mark Sport Relief’s first link up with racing, the charity took over the winning line at Newbury with a special Sport Relief finishing post for the action yesterday and today.

Attention was on jockey Leighton Aspell as he donned specially designed Sport Relief silks to ride Oliver Sherwood’s Luci Di Mezzanotte in the feature contest of the day, the 2.55pm Listed EBF Stallions and TBA Mares’ National Hunt Novices Hurdle Finale.

But it was Mick Easterby’s Run Runctions Run under Dougie Costello who held off The Pirate’s Queen by a short head in a brilliant finish. She returned the 11/2 favourite with Lily Waugh back in third.

And Roalco De Farges made it a good day for favourite backers when running out an impressive winner of the Ultima – Proud Sponsors of Alan King Racing Handicap Chase.

The 7/2 favourite scooted clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths from No Secrets with Samingarry back in third.

Off the track, people were in great spirits and raised money as Newbury Racecourse’s mascot, Harry the Horse supervised a Sport Relief bucket collection as racegoers left the course.

Newbury’s Chief Executive Julian Thick said, “There has been some fantastic action here this jumps season and today’s card was the perfect finale with some thrilling finishes.

“Sport Relief is a hugely important fundraising event. We were delighted to help by donating a portion of the gate receipts and everyone really got into the spirit of things.

“The Flat season is just around the corner and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for our next fixture on April 11^th.”

The National Hunt season may be over for now but the Flat campaign kicks off with Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Raceday on Friday 11 April..