Ben Haslam got his training career off to a great start by saddling a winner with only his fifth runner as Hi Dancer obliged in the Complete Football Handicap at Newcastle.

The 25-year-old only took over at the helm of his Middleham yard from his father last month but thanked Tony McCoy for his part in the success.

The champion had been in the saddle last time out and recommended a drop in trip.

"I started on February 22 and this is only my fifth runner so it's great to get off the mark," said Haslam.

"He should have won last time but 'AP' (McCoy) said I did not have him fit enough!

"He also told me to drop the horse back to two miles and Dave Roberts (McCoy's agent) told me to get a claimer to ride him."

Harry Haynes got Little Promise (12-1) up close home to beat Pegasus Prince by a head in the IPC Security Novices' Hurdle.

Winning trainer James Ewart, who was expecting a good run from the six-year-old, said: "He is a full brother to Grade One winner (Another Promise), but he has been so slow maturing.

"Next year he will be better again, you will not see the best of him until he goes chasing but I may give him another spin over hurdles, this time over three miles."

Jimmy Bond (13-2) bounced back to winning form in the gamest fashion under Richard McGrath in the Parklands Handicap Chase.

Trained by Kate Walton, McGrath's mother-in-law, the 11-year-old benefited from the cheekpieces being put back on.

"I really, really fancied him for a two-and-a-half mile chase here on 'Eider Day' because the ground was heavy which would have suited him but the meeting was abandoned," said Walton.

Ferdy Murphy's fleeting trip to Gosforth Park paid a winning dividend when Lord Villez (15-8 favourite) got off the mark at the 22nd attempt under Graham Lee in the opening Newcastle "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

Murphy had only the one runner on the card before heading up to Carlisle for a Cheltenham Festival preview.

"He has got an engine, he has run over fences at Auteuil in France and they make you swallow your breath!" said Murphy.

"We might find a race over the brush hurdles for him and then put him away and then he will go back chasing next season."

Alex Voy was seen to good effect as he made it two wins from three rides on Chris Grant's Mister Pete, who made all in the Gosforth Decorating And Building Services Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

Mister Pete (5-2) had also led from pillar to post over the course and distance three weeks ago and Grant, who trains the winner for local owner David Armstrong, said: "That was good, he seems to like it going round here and likes the soft ground, but he may struggle when it dries up.

"It is nice to have another winner for David who got the colours (the black and white of Newcastle United) off Sir John Hall."

Blazing Diva (3-1), another course and distance winner three weeks ago, also returned to strike again as she proved too good for her three rivals under Ryan Mania in the nationalrail.com At Chester-Le-Street For Cheap Fares Novices' Handicap Chase.

When successful last month she was giving Greenlaw permit-holder Sandy Thomson, who trains her for his wife Quona, his first winner since 1993.

"Quona, who rides the mare out every day, didn't come when she won here last time," said Thomson.

"So I am pleased she has come today, but she couldn't bear to watch the race!"