Baywing returned to winning ways with a smooth display in the Betfred Eider Chase at Newcastle.
Winner of the Towton Novices' Chase last season, he had failed to score again in five subsequent starts but had shown a glimpse of promise last time out over a trip just short of three miles, with his stamina really coming into play over an extra mile here.
Midlands National winner Milansbar attempted to make all, but racing from a much higher handicap mark, he started to struggle as they turned into the straight, leaving Hainan in front.
West Of The Edge had been smuggled into contention by Will Kennedy, but Baywing (8/1) was going just as well for Ryan Day.
The pair were battling it out at the last but while West Of The Edge got in tight, Baywing absolutely pinged it and shot clear, winning by four lengths.
Former winner Portrait King stayed on for third with Hainan fading to fourth. Favourite Vinnie Lewis was pulled up.
Richards told Press Association Sport: "He got into a good rhythm, jumped well and has seen it out well.
"After he won the Towton, though it was a good race to win at the time, it sort of limited our options to get experience into him. I've always thought he was a talented horse.
"Since then we've worked away well, we've had this race in our minds for a while and it's great when it works out.
"Soft ground is important to him. It might be that we look at the Midlands National or something.
"We'll just see, we're in no rush and he's won a nice prize today. These are the ones you want to win and this season we've been lucky enough to have won a few."
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