BRIAN Hughes and Donald McCain continued their Cartmel dominance with winner after winner at the South Lakes track.

Hughes took four victories on the seven-race card – three for trainer McCain – on the perfect afternoon for the duo.

Unfortunately for James Moffatt, the only times Hughes did not win was when he was in the saddle for the Cartmel handler.

With it being the first day proper of the school summer holidays, there was a certain inevitability to the weather – was it not always thus? Rain greeted spectators, jockeys, trainers and owners as they arrived in the South Lakes – had no-one informed those upstairs there was a meeting on, they had appeared to receive the memo on every previous afternoon of action thus far in 2018.

No matter, the show must go on, and those youngsters scampering about the paddock with a spring in their step worthy of a novice hurdler could care not one jot they were getting wet – after all, the next day of school is now so far beyond the horizon as to be unimaginable.

McCain was one man who wanted a little bit of rain, to help with the ground – although the going was still officially Good, Good to Firm in places when racing started.

That was just what 11/4 shot Beach Break was looking for in the 2m 1f Paul Savage Maiden Hurdle, and Hughes made sure they went one better than their second place last time out here in June, with an opening victory as the rain faded away.

They led from post to post, holding off James Moffatt’s The Steward (9/2) – finding one too good for the fourth time in five runs over hurdles – who was the only horse within 30 lengths come the finish of what was a comfortable triumph.

“Last time was the first time he was in front, he’d fought off the one he had to beat, and then he got done,” said McCain. “We just questioned his attitude a bit, but today he’s nothing wrong – he’s jumped great, travelled well, and galloped all the way to the line.

“He’s just learning his job – he’s a summer horse, a nice ground horse, and he’s learning his trade quietly.”

There was a quick return to the winners’ circle for Hughes after taking another comfortable triumph, this time on board Alfie’s Choice, in the 3m 1f William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle.

Moffatt’s Bon Chic, with champion jockey Richard Johnson in the saddle, set a decent pace for Hughes and the others to follow, and he struck two from home to go into a lead he would not relinquish.

“It was very straightforward,” said Hughes after the two-and-three-quarter-length success for Carluke trainer Keith Dalgleish. “We had an even gallop, nothing too mad, and he’s an improving horse who did it nicely enough.

“You might see a more improved horse on a galloping track, but you’ve got to go where the races are, and he’s improving.”

The treble was complete for Hughes when he guided 1/2 favourite Dear Sire to the line first, by a neck from Applesandpierres, in the Weatherby’s Racing Bank Beginners’ Chase.

This time, Hughes had tracked the leader Trafalgar Rock, under James Bowen, and made his move after the last, holding on up the straight in what had turned into a three-horse race from the seven-strong field.

To make a good day even better, there was a fourth winner for Hughes – and a third for McCain – when Raise a Spark (the 11/8 favourite) showed his class in the Racegoers Club 50th Anniversary Handicap Chase over 2m 1f.

Course favourite Wisty (7/4) set a good gallop under Ross Chapman, but Hughes did not panic, and came around the outside to lead two furlongs from home, triumphing by 13 lengths.

“He’s doing his job very well,” said McCain. “For a novice having his second run over fences, Wisty would always test him, and he’s just gone a bit close to a couple and learnt plenty today. He’s finished it off very well, and we’re very happy.

“This is what we’re doing the job for – these are three grand horses and the jobs have been done very nicely. It’s very satisfying.”

Julia Brooke was smiling from ear to ear as she saw her mount Short Flight show what he can do in winning the 2m 6f Planet Windows Handicap Hurdle.

Trainer and half-owner, along with Kiel Ward – whose wife Lyndsay and was celebrating in Greece after putting a bet on while on holiday – Brooke saw Sean Quinlan ride the six-year-old to a memorable success.

The pair led for the first 2m 4f of the race, but then briefly fell behind as Harry Reed brought Justatenner – a winner here for Carlisle trainer Tristan Davidson last month – round the outside after the last.

Justatenner (15/8f) appeared to have the momentum, but Short Flight (6/1) kept on running and running to victory by a short-head after a photo finish.

“It was a good run from the front,” said Brooke. “The headgear has helped him, he just thinks a little bit about it; he has done previously.

“He’s had a while off (192 days) and he has been waiting for better ground. Then it went too far the other way, so today we had to go.

“What he’s got, he’ll go at all day. He’s not the quickest, but we’re delighted with him – he’s finally shown what he has shown us at home.”

Elsewhere on the card, Alain Cawley rode Shake It Up (11/2) to a half-length win over Richie McLernon on Easy Street (9/2) in the Watch racing UK Anywhere Handicap Chase.

Brooke completed a training double in the closing 2m 1f John Smiths Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle, as John Kington produced a storming finish on board Stags Leap (7/1).