Czech-born Jakub Kocman punched the air in delight as Bonnie Rock gave him the first success of his career on only his second ride in Britain in the Saltwell Signs Conditional Jockeys' Mares Only Handicap Hurdle at Newcastle.

The 9-2 joint-favourite was on a hat-trick mission and after striking the front three out she kept up the gallop to beat Mini Minster by a comfortable length.

Winning trainer George Charlton's father, Alistair, said: "Jakub is a friend of Jan Faltejsek, who is also with us of course, but he had trouble getting a licence.

"He went to the racing school at Newmarket and they said he was brilliant, but then he was sent home because he could not understand the instructors.

"He had had only two rides back home and has been with us for six months. I think he is a very good rider."

Trainer John Wade is enjoying his best season and took his score to 18 as he left himself tantalisingly close to his target of £100,000 prize money for the campaign as Ryminster (9-2) got up close home from Ocarina in the Interskygroup.com Handicap Chase.

Conditional rider Brian Hughes was taking his own tally to 35 and Wade, who also owns and bred Ryminster, said: "We are only about £1,300 short now. Brian said he was going to hold the horse up this time and come as late as possible and he gave him a super ride."

Stravaigin had not had much luck on his recent appearances, but backed from 20-1 to 12-1 he put in a clear round and snatched the Guinness Handicap Hurdle out of the fire in the hands of Richard McGrath, who gave up his two remaining rides because he felt unwell.

Winning trainer Jim Goldie said: "I would have settled for second place until the last 20 yards! I am pleased for Ailsa Russell who bred him, she has been very patient.

"Stravaigin had an argument with a fence at Ayr on his last run but one, so we put him back over hurdles last time but he got bogged down in the mud back at Ayr so I think the better ground helped him here."

Shane Byrne, who rode 11 winners as an amateur, gained his first success as a conditional when giving the Sue Smith-trained Mill Side a good ride to win the St. James Place Novices' Hurdle by two and a half lengths from My Arch.

Mrs Smith's husband Harvey said after the 6-1 success: "We are fortunate to have two good conditionals in the yard, Shane and Tjade (Collier)."

Trainer James Ewart and amateur Harry Haynes had just missed out with Ocarina earlier, but went one better when course winner 4-1 chance Raining Horse defied top weight in the James Fletcher Marquee And Pavilion Hire Novices' Handicap Chase.

Ewart said: "This ground was dead, he wants some life in it and he should get it like that for his next run in a £20,000 novices' handicap at Ayr on April 19, that is the sort of race we want to be going for."

Oliver Greenall, deputising for his brother Thomas, who was injured in a bad fall at Sedgefield on Tuesday, won the hunter chase on the Howard Johnson-trained Andy Anshan.

The 3-1 winner is part-owned by the Greenalls' father Lord Daresbury and Johnson's assistant Ray Hawkey said: "Lord Daresbury has shares in two or three horses with us and I think this may be the first winner we have had in his colours."

Irish raider Schelm, ridden by Tony Dobbin, took the concluding Palmer Hall Maiden Hurdle, coming home three-quarters of a length clear of Diamond Frontier.

His trainer Ronnie O'Leary said of his 7-2 shot: "We bought him in Germany basically to go hurdling, but he also won on the Flat for us at Wolverhampton last month.

"We brought him back over because he wants good ground - the boys have won a few pounds today and we will be bringing him back when conditions are suitable."

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