Winning trainer Chris Grant said of even-money scorer: "He is not a quick horse but he jumps and stays all day and the softer the ground the better for him.

"I might have to run him again under two penalties, we'll have to see, but next year something like the Eider Chase at Newcastle might suit him - I think that race may come a bit soon for him this season."

Grant and jockey Richard McGrath completed a quick double when Star Player (4-1) made a successful debut over fences in the Kier Northern Novices' Handicap Chase.

This was also run over the extended three miles, and taking up the running four out, Star Player was clear at the penultimate fence and went on to score by a comfortable seven lengths from Scrappie.

Grant went on: "He has always jumped grand and we have been waiting to run him over fences, everything was a bit too quick for him over hurdles, he is a big horse.

"He is still a big baby too, so we will go quietly away and he is learning all the time - the ground was tacky enough for him really, he managed to cope with it but it was not ideal."

Lucy Normile's Stormont Dawn caused an upset when running out a 25-1 winner of the TurfTV Betting Shop Service Handicap Chase in the hands of Neil Mulholland.

Woodview, shouldering a 7lb penalty for a win at Newcastle last week, attempted to make all and made a good fist of it as he was worn down only in the last 100 yards by Stormont Dawn, who stayed on to pass the post with three and a half lengths to spare.

Normile's husband Alan said: "She is very backward and immature even though she is a seven-year-old.

"It is only her third run over fences, but she jumped adequately and this is the first season I have been able to really work her. In the past she would fall away after two bits of work.

"She is a first winner for her owner Alan Neill, he is a potato merchant from Blairgowrie, but he is away in France at the moment."