SEDGEFIELD'S spectators witnessed something pretty special yesterday when hurdling newcomer Echo Point pummelled his rivals into abject submission.

Prior to the start of the two-mile-one-furlong EBF Novices' Hurdle the race looked fairly evenly matched, but Echo Point make a mockery of that theory by making every yard under Brian Harding to record an eased-down 24-length success.

Although trainer Nicky Richards was at the Newmarket Sales, his assistant, Neil Leach, was on hand to greet Echo Point home.

"He won his bumper in Ireland OK, although you never know how good they are until seeing them on the track," said Leach.

It was a red-letter day for 20-year-old Michael McAvoy, who punched the air with delight when passing the post on his first-ever winner, Ball Games, in the opening John Wade Selling Hurdle.

"I've been going for two years and that's my 14th ride in all," revealed McAvoy.

His boss, Jimmy Moffatt, was also all smiles, having gone 154 days and 75 runners without even sniffing the scent of victory.

"I've had terrible problems and it has been like banging my head against a brick wall since May," said Moffat, whose father, Dudley, trained the mother of Ball Games, the illustrious Debs Ball.

"Our horses haven't been right and losing weight, I couldn't understand what was happening. However, I changed feed manufacturer three weeks ago and it has made the difference."

Graham Lee showed just why he's risen to the top of the riding tree over the past couple of seasons with a power-packed performance aboard Nick The Silver in the Betfred Poker Handicap Hurdle.

Recently claimed out of Martin Pipe's stable, Lee had to be at his strongest to repel the persistent challenge of the runner-up, Russian Sky.

"They told us this horse would kill someone on the gallops due to his wayward nature but we've had the dentist to him, plus treated his back, and he's fine now," said Malton handler, Robert Gray.

The John Smith's Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle was a triumph for Claire Metcalfe, who owns Longstone Lass and rode her to victory.

Much-travelled Longstone Lass had a history of being something of a tearaway.

When her last trainer, Declan Carroll, decided enough was enough, Claire, who had formerly looked after Longstone Lass at Richard Guest's stable, asked if she could have the mare and her judgement proved spot-on.

"The key to today was getting her settled," reported Spennymoor-based Tracey Waggott, saddling her inaugural jumps winner having only taken out a licence some four months ago.

There was a mini gamble from 10s to 13-2 landed on Celtic Flow, who plugged away heroically to take the Selling Chase under a vigorous drive by Paddy Aspell.

Successful trainer Chris Wilson, from Manfield, near Darlington, quickly pointed out it wasn't money from his yard.

"We bred her, nevertheless I'm surprised because she is basically a bit slow," said Wilson, sending out his second scorer within the space of a month.

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