Donald McCain's fantastic season shows no signs of letting up and the Cheshire handler enjoyed another successful day at Sedgefield with a double on the card.

Bumper winner Strokestown got off the mark over obstacles in the first division of the Touchline Event Management "National Hunt" Novices´ Hurdle.

The 5-6 favourite took the lead early in the straight and although Ferdy Murphy's Catch Bob laid down a strong challenge after the final flight, Jason Maguire's mount galloped all the way to the line to score by two and a half lengths.

"He's a grand horse who I like a lot and I don't think Sedgefield really suited him to be honest, but it's just nice for him to get his head in front," said McCain.

"He was a little bit green early on and didn't jump the best in the early stages, but he's won despite all that and he will improve for a better track and a little bit further.

"We'll take it steady with him and try to win another little race next time. He's won a point-to-point already and I would have thought he'd go chasing next season."

However, it was not all good news for Maguire as the stewards found him guilty of careless riding and banned him for three days (February 3-5 inclusive).

It was a case of more of the same in the second division as McCain's Fiendish Flame led home Murphy's Alderbridge.

The winner was sent off the 1-2 market-leader and having made much of the running, he powered away in the straight to score by 10 lengths.

"He is a horse who got very keen at home after he ran in his bumper and young Adrian Lane has done a lot of work with him at home getting him to settle," said McCain.

"He was still a bit busy today but he's done it really nicely and again we are in no great hurry with him.

"A lot of our young horses are doing their jobs well and we'll try to keep winning races with them if we can."

Murphy went one better in the Lloyds RSB Selling Handicap Hurdle as Bonneta opened her account with a battling display.

The 100-30 favourite looked like running away with the race turning for home but Vehari ate into her lead in the straight and Bonneta was forced to pull out all the stops to register a length success.

Thatlldoforme defied top-weight when springing a 20-1 surprise in the Johnny Ridley 20 Years of Fence Sponsorship Handicap Chase, getting the better of favourite It's Bertie after a battle on the run-in.

The three-mile-three-furlong WBX.COM Handicap Hurdle was always going to be a war of attrition in the testing conditions and as expected the runners came home at long intervals.

The Tim Walford-trained Minella Boys had his rivals well strung out turning for home and passed the post 19 lengths clear of Polobury.

There were just three finishers in the Alan Laverick 60th Birthday Maiden Chase, with Overlady making the most of her light weight to score by five lengths from Bay Cherry.

Favourite Cave Hill was a long way back in third.

Basford Lass confirmed the promise of her debut second when running away with the concluding digibet.com Mares' Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race for trainer Jennie Candlish and jockey Alan O'Keeffe.