Town Crier enjoyed a welcome change of fortune to take the feature event at Newcastle yesterday.

Sue Smith's ten-year-old had a race at his mercy at Haydock Park last time only to come to grief at the second-last - but he had luck on his side this time in the BBC Radio Newcastle Novices' Chase.

He was in second place and being pushed along by Dominic Elsworth when Mondul, who was three lengths clear and going well, fell at the penultimate fence to present Town Crier with the race.

At the line the Trevor Hemmings-owned Town Crier (5-4 favourite) had two lengths to spare over the runner-up, Alam to net the £9,984 winner's purse.

''I'd say we were beaten but it's hard to know. He deserved a bit of luck,'' the owner's racing manager Michael Meagher said.

''This soft ground wasn't ideal. He's a true two-mile horse who doesn't get home as well on this soft ground as he does on good ground.

''He'll be entered in the Arkle but a flatter track at Aintree would suit him better and he's run well at Aintree before.''

Indy Mood completed a three-timer when he outstayed his rivals in the Happy 50th Birthday Brian Wray Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles.

The 5-2 favourite was venturing into handicap company for the first time having won novice events over two and three-quarter and three miles.

And his stamina really came into play on yesterday's testing ground.

Mark Bradburne sent Indy Mood to the front four from home and the six-year-old kept up the gallop to land the spoils by two and a half lengths from Culcabock.

Winning trainer Harriet Graham said: ''Coming up against handicappers for the first time, we did wonder but he's done it really well.

''We'll have to aim him at something a bit bigger now and there's a novice race over three miles at Doncaster at the end of the month that we'll look at.

''He's improving and this time next year, so long as he stays sound, he'll be twice the horse.''

Vic The Piler was made the 15-8 favourite to make a winning debut in the nitex.co.uk ''National Hunt'' Novices' Hurdle and he did not let his supporters down.

However, it needed all Tony Dobbin's strength in the saddle to get Nicky Richards' newcomer home in front.

After being held up towards the rear Vic The Piler moved into contention on the turn for home where Miss Pross went on.

The leader looked like holding on at the final flight but Vic The Piler finally realised what was required and he stayed on stoutly under a powerful ride to score by two and a half lengths.

''I was just waiting for the penny to drop and even Dobbs was waiting - all the way up the straight!'' Richards said.

''He'll make a chaser one day and this is all education. He'll find a lot of improvement with experience.

''We bought him at Fairyhouse and he's a horse I've always liked.

''He'll get two and a half miles and maybe three on good ground and you never know, we might see him in a nice novice hurdle in April.''

Julius Caesar took the Sporting Index Novices' Hurdle under a positive ride from Paul Robson.

The Howard Johnson-trained five-year-old won over two miles and five furlongs at Sedgefield last time and stamina is clearly his strong suit as he saw out this three miles in good style after being kicked on four flights from home.

Once on the run-in, Robson had to keep the 9-2 chance up to his work to beat Em's Royalty by four lengths.

''This is a nice horse. He's improving and he likes this soft ground'' said Johnson. ''He's still a bit green but he's nice.''

Recent Edition was the shock winner of the Mechplant Handicap Chase over a stamina-sapping three miles and six furlongs.

The ex-Irish point-to-pointer, who had only completed in three of his four starts under Rules, was racing from 15lb out of the handicap and he was sent off at 33-1.

He belied those odds with a most resolute display under Kenny Johnson, who sent John Wade's charge to the front at the 12th fence.

He looked beaten when headed three out but rallied gamely and relished the soft going to get back in front on the run-in to score by two lengths from Dalus Park.

Wade was not totally surprised at the outcome and said: ''When I bought him off Adrian Costello he told me he wanted this trip and this ground. I've been running him on the wrong ground.

''Kenny gave him a great ride today.

''That's two winners this year and we had one on New Year's Eve as well.