Conditional rider Aidan Coleman was the jockey in form at Leicester with a 9-1 double on Ours and Latanier.

Ours (7-2) confirmed the impression he is a smart recruit over fences when completing a hat-trick in the Vale of Belvoir Handicap Chase.

Mark Rimmell's gelding was brought with a well-timed run by the 3lb claimer to go on from High Jack at the final fence and win by four and a half lengths.

"I was just worried about the ground as there is no doubt he is better on quicker ground," said Rimmell.

"This spring is the time I would really like to do business with him. It all depends whether we give him one more run or give him a break now.

"He travels very well and I think he is better at shorter than three miles."

Coleman doubled up on Latanier (5-4 favourite) for Venetia Williams in the Knighton Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old ran his rivals ragged and hardly saw another horse as he scooted up by 12 lengths from Bugsy's Boy despite getting weary in the closing stages.

"He settled well in front, though he can be keen. He jumped well and he handled the ground," said Coleman.

Kate's Gift (12-1), who sustained serious injury two and a half years ago, opened his account over fences in the John O'Gaunt Maiden Chase.

The Paul Webber-trained gelding led before the last and went on to beat Minella Four Star by two lengths.

"He's lazy and needed those cheekpieces, but he's had a lot of problems. He fractured his forearm in the field, but the vets at Hook Norton saved him," said Webber.

"He's been in the wilderness since he won his bumper, so we'll keep him down in class as low as possible to get his confidence back. He jumps well and he is tough."

Jeff Pearce had a rare win over jumps when Purely By Chance made a successful debut in the Leicester Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

The 8-1 chance ploughed through the testing conditions in game fashion for Wayne Hutchinson to hold Mvuto by a length and a quarter.

"That's one of my few forays into jumping," said the Newmarket trainer.

"The filly was brave and she battled. I know she was a bit one-paced on the flat but you have to jump and stay at this game on this ground."

Towcester trainer Frank Jordan had his first winner for nearly five months when Monsieur Georges (7-1) wore down Low Delta on the run-in to take the Barkby Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle.

"There is nothing like a winner, I've not had one for a while," said Jordan, who retained the gelding for 5,700 guineas.

Michael Murphy, who rode third-placed Vehari was referred to the British Horse Racing Authority for using his whip with excessive frequency as he has amassed more than 24 days suspension in the last 12 months.

The Kim Bailey-trained Ruby Crown sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Waltham on the Wolds Handicap Hurdle, coming home two and three-quarter lengths clear in the hands of Tom Siddall.