CHAMPION jockey Tony McCoy was out of luck on his only ride at Sedgefield yesterday when man-of-the-moment, Graham Lee, forced Blairgowrie to an unlikely looking victory in the totesport.com Novices Hurdle.

McCoy oozed confidence as his mount, the red-hot odds-on 5-6 favourite, Arrayou, cantered upsides Blairgowrie at the second last flight. But Lee, hoping to record back-to-back wins aboard Amberleigh House in Saturday's Aintree Grand National, was in no mood to surrender, persuading the gutsy Blairgowrie to maintain his lead all the way to the line.

There was a dramatic incident in the St James Security Handicap Hurdle as the long-time leader, You're The Man, inexplicably dived violently left-handed and threw Owen Nelmes from the saddle when holding every chance.

Count The Cost was left to take the money, initiating a near 23-1 double for locally-based Aycliffe permit holder, John Wade.

After the unfortunate exit of Nelmes and partner, Count The Cost coasted home under Peter Buchanan, another rider seeking to avoid injury this week in anticipation of joining forces with the well-backed 11-1 shot, Strong Resolve, in the big race at Aintree.

Wade's second winner, Wilful Lord, who was reported to have breathing problems, benefited from the fitting of a tongue strap to get the better of Trenance in a battle royal from the final fence in the toteexacta Handicap Chase.

Although Wade didn't have a runner in the two-mile-one-furlong Selling Handicap, his Skip Hire company generously sponsored the £3,000 contest won in runaway fashion by Talarive.

Jockey Jim Crowley always appeared to have matters well in hand, sprinting miles clear of his toiling rivals once he pressed the button on the Peter Niven-trained nine-year-old.

The total outsider of the 11-strong field, 33-1 chance Sikasso, strolled away with the closing John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle.

"Sikasso ran really well and was in fifth place when falling at Wetherby last time out. That race was two months ago so we thought he might just need this run, but in the end it was just a hands-and-heels job for the jockey," said Middleham trainer Kate Walton.

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