IS IT ME confirmed his position as one of the season's leading juvenile hurdlers when completing a hat-trick in the hands of Mark Bradburne at Sedgefield yesterday.

"Mark said that was his best performance to date and we'll aim him at Cheltenham's October meeting, with the possibility of nicking a couple of other races in between," said successful trainer Paul Blockley about his unbeaten three-year-old.

Timmy Murphy showed why his services are always in demand by giving Palace Walk a virtuoso ride to score on his chasing debut.

Although Palace Walk is only a four-year-old, Murphy kicked his mount to the front from flag-fall and was never headed in the Beginners' Chase

"Timmy schooled Palace Walk a couple of weeks ago and he must have jumped 50 fences at home since then," revealed winning handler, Brendan Powell, who had brought his horse 297 miles from Morestead, in Hampshire, for the £4,753 first prize.

There was drama at the end of the Jewson Novices' Hurdle when clear leader Far Cry stumbled after jumping the final flight, firing the hapless Tony Dobbin out of the side door.

With Far Cry making that untimely exit, it handed the race on a plate to Wrenlane, who until then was plodding along in his own time and booked for second spot.

The John Wade Selling Handicap Hurdle went to runaway winner Charlie Tango, making a welcome return to form for David Thompson, based not far from the track at the nearby village of Bolam, just off the A68.