Red Striker was an unexpected winner of the Cantor Index Dipper Novices' Chase, the feature event at Newcastle.

The 11-1 shot had been off the course for 50 days since disappointing at Newbury when reportedly suffering from a breathing problem.

But under a typically confident ride from Richard Guest, Red Striker came through to challenge long-time leader, 50-1 Irish raider Gregorio, before the final fence and went on to score by a cosy four lengths.

Trainer Norman Mason was on duty at Ascot, but wife Dorothy said: ''This is a bit of a surprise, I must admit.

''I'm not sure about the Arkle, he could find two miles on the sharp side but I don't think he'd run over three. We'll just see how things are.''

Ballinclay King, sent off a well-backed 6-4 joint-favourite, was never looking at ease and fluffed the third-last before running on again to finish fourth.

It later transpired that he had struck into himself and the horse returned slightly lame.

Crocadee, the other joint-favourite, jumped right throughout and ultimately unseated Tony Dobbin at the 10th fence when in the lead.

Red Striker helped turn the day around for the bookmakers who were left reeling when Skippers Cleuch landed the odds in the cantorindex.com Novices' Hurdle.

The seven-year-old, sent off the 1-2 favourite, registered his seventh win from as many starts as he thrashed Fred's In The Know by 12 lengths.

But jockey Dobbin admitted afterwards that the seven-year-old's hurdling technique was giving connections cause for concern.

''His jumping has disappointed me,'' the rider admitted. ''He was sloppy and it was just his engine that has got him through.

''It might be that he wasn't appreciating the ground, he probably wants good going but he is only schooled over fences at home he never sees a hurdle till comes to the track and that is where his future lies. He will be one hell of a chaser.''

Trainer Lenny Lungo, registering a 42nd success of the season, concurred.

''Imagine, with his cruising speed in a three-mile chase, he will be a serious horse,'' he said.

''He could go to Cheltenham for the Sun Alliance. I would want it to be good to soft. But if it's too fast or too soft, you might never see him over hurdles again and we'll just look forward to next year.''

Seven Towers got the best of a war of attrition over the three miles and six furlongs of the Cantor Index Global Indices Handicap Chase.

The 12-year-old, whose greatest moment came when landing the Eider Chase at this course four years ago, rallied under a determined ride from Peter Niven to collar long-time leader Mr Mahdlo on the run to the line and reward punters who had supported him from 6-1 into 5-1, scoring by three parts of a length.

Trainer Mary Reveley reported that the winner is set to return next month for a repeat bid at the Eider (now called the Tote Northern National).

''When I saw him put his head down, I knew he was going to do it.

''When they are off for two years, they take a lot of getting fit, they get fat inside, and this was the first time he has had a trip.''

The success helped Niven edge ever nearer the landmark of riding 1000 winners, a feat only six jockeys have managed before.

Dibea Times, ''possibly the best horse I've owned'' according to Ray Anderson Green, justified strong market support in the opening cantorindex.com Bet on Single Shares on-line Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

Opening at 4-7, the four-year-old ex-French gelding was supported into 4-11 and toyed with his rivals for most of the two-mile contest before going clear to beat Herself by 21 lengths.

In the winner's enclosure, trainer Malcolm Jefferson was unable to mask his enthusiasm for the winner.

''This horse is as straightforward as you can get,'' he said. ''You wouldn't see a six-year-old further forward than he is, he is a gentleman who does his work without breaking a sweat.

''He will have an entry in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham, I wouldn't run him in the Triumph.''

Aelred landed the Cantor Index Buy or Sell Single Shares Handicap Chase for the father-and-son team of trainer Bob Johnson and his son, rider Kenny.

The 6-1 shot held off 15-8 favourite June's River, whose fencing left much to be desired, to score by three lengths.

''He normally falls off when he rides them for me, so that makes a pleasant change!'' joked Johnson snr.

Irish jockey John Cullen copped a one-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency aboard Potoffairies, the runner-up in the cantorindex.com Bet On Line Handicap Hurdle.

The race was won by the Kate Walton-trained Roman Uproar.