Champion jockey Tony McCoy executed a brilliant finish up the inside on Thenameescapes Me (4/1) in the 2m Volkswagen Touareg Handicap Hurdle but Graham Lee and Ian Popham could also return to the weighing room justifiably proud of their efforts on Carryduff (3/1 fav) and Back Nine (4/1).

McCoy brought the Tom George-trained Alderbrook gelding up the inner of favourite Muntami and 20/1 shot Midnight Spirit who was the meat in the sandwich as horses and riders strained for the post.

It was the only one of McCoy's four mounts to win, the champion making do with a third in the opener on Shergill and runners-up spot on John O'Shea's Dr Dream in the seller, although it was a miracle he stayed in the plate after his mount jinked violently left at the last flight.

Unless you are a golfer, Back Nine is usually a signal to spread bets in a competitive handicap hurdle, but last night it proved the 4/1 winner of the Men's Open Championship point to point final in the hands of Popham. Firm ground, which brought 15 non-runners on the card, and the antics of Mister Bertolli, withdrawn at the start, reduced the runners to five.

The former Robert Alner-trained runner has now been with Jane Western for two seasons.

Western had seven years as head groom for Richard Barber in which time she looked after such horses as 1999 Gold Cup winner See More Business and Christie's Fox Hunter winner Fantus.

She said: "Back Nine has been such an easy horse to train and does everything you ask of him. We might run him next on May 24 in the old Horse & Hound Cup race at Stratford. He finished fifth in the race last year when he wasn't properly fit."

Back Nine's late rattle saw him deny trainer Ollie Bush who was attempting a hat-trick in the race after two victories by Vinnie Boy.

Her Dennis The Legend finished eight lengths adrift while gutsy county runner 13 year-old Tender Tangle was third, after leading a merry dance under Tom Ellis, a late replacement for the injured Stuart Morris.

Meanwhile Carryduff brought a winner for jockey Lee and trainer Ferdy Murphy in the 3m handicap chase, the timing of the last fence challenge a joy to watch.

Trainer Peter Pritchard was overwhelmed with relief and joy after Earcomesthedream (15/2) took the opening 2m 5f maiden hurdle in a photo from The Hairy Mutt.

The win took Pritchard off the cold trainers' list but he said: "Tisfreetodream only just got touched off at Cheltenham three weeks ago and Earcomesannie was second yesterday at Plumpton.

We have been beaten in photos and by better handicapped horses."

The shock of the night was provided by 40/1 winner Cordage in the seller. The horse was trained out of John Pickering's Wigston Parva yard near Hinckley by owner Katie James who retained the Alex Merriam ridden scorer as there were no bids for the winner.

The concluding bumper went the way of 100/30 second favourite Calaas.