Bedlam strikes for Richards
Bedlam Boy made light of the testing conditions at Newcastle today to lift the opening toteplacepot Novices' Handicap in the hands of Tony Dobbin.
The Nicky Richards-trained gelding was sent off an 11-2 chance and he took up the running after jumping the third-last flight.
Despite the heavy ground, Bedlam Boy stayed on strongly up the straight to come home eight lengths clear of Storymaker.
Richards said: "This horse has been living on his nerves but he is just beginning to settle down a bit now. Although he was a bit keen over the first couple of hurdles, he then travelled nicely for Tony.
"I think in fairness better ground than this would really suit him and he is going to make a nice chaser one day - these wins over hurdles are a bonus."
Sue Smith celebrated her birthday earlier in the week and she received a belated present when Little Big Horse captured the totescoop6 Handicap.
Conditional Michael O'Connell drove the 15-2 chance into the lead approaching the final fence and kept him going in good style to hold the renewed challenges of Green Ideal and Classic Capers by one and a quarter lengths and a neck.
Mrs Smith trains Little Big Horse for Paul Dixon and she said: "He is 11 now, but he has always been a sweet little horse and keeps winning us races every season."
O'Connell, partnering his 12th winner of the campaign, added: "He takes a little bit of knowing but he keeps pulling out more for you.
"Things have been going well this season and hopefully they will continue to do so."
It was a good day for veteran runners with Through The Rye (12-1) becoming the second 11-year-old to score when showing the way home in the tote text Betting 60021 Handicap Hurdle.
Through The Rye made most of the running under Paddy Aspell and he stuck to his task in great style up the straight to see off the challenge of Rayshan by four lengths.
Winning trainer Grant Tuer said: "That was a great performance. Despite his age, he retains his enthusiasm and he is still a sound horse.
"I don't know what we will do now. I will have to have a look through the Calendar, though I suppose we will have to see what the handicapper does with him."
Nil Desperandum (6-1) staked a strong claim for the John Smith's Grand National with a game victory in the totesport.com Eider (Handicap Chase) under joint top weight of 11st 12lb.
Leading two out in the hands of Tom Scudamore, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding powered away from his rivals.
He jumped the last like a fresh horse, despite having travelled over four miles, and finished 12 lengths clear of Nine De Sivola (9-1).
Chabrimal Minister (16-1) was 11 lengths back in third with Moustique De L'Isle (22-1) another 10 away in fourth.
Nil Desperandum was fourth in the National last year when trained in Ireland by Frances Crowley and Aintree is the target again.
"His jumping was so fabulous. To jump out of that ground and come up long as he was, that was amazing," Williams told Channel 4 Racing from Kempton.
"The horse pricked his ears and winged the last.
"He came back from the Scottish National last year on our lorry. I've trained for his owner Mick Shone for some time and I'm so pleased he sent him to me.
"The National has been his target all season but he'll have one more run before then. He's a smashing horse."
