Tony McCoy was modesty personified after pulling off a tactical masterstroke to sweep to victory on Exotic Dancer in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. writes Russell Smith.

Just five days earlier, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained six-year-old had been beaten 28 lengths by Turpin Green in a three-runner affair at Carlisle.

But, fitted with cheekpieces and earplugs, he left that form well behind as the Wantage-based champion jockey brought him from last to first to beat the favourite Vodka Bleu by three lengths.

McCoy said: "I don't think I gave him a good ride - I think it just happened for him."

It was McCoy's fourth success in the first big jumps race of the season after wins on Cyfor Malta (1998), Lady Cricket (2000) and Shooting Light (2001).

Henrietta Knight looks to have another smart prospect on her hands after she sent out Aztec Warrior from her West Lockinge stables, near Wantage, to take the notable scalp of Garde Champetre at Folkestone.

With Shrivenham-based jockey Timmy Murphy in the saddle, the five-year-old beat the favourite by seven lengths in a novices' chase over two miles and five furlongs.

Looking ahead to this Saturday, Knight could run Racing Demon in the totesport.com Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon after stablemate Impek was ruled out with a shoulder muscle problem.

However, the West Lockinge trainer is hopeful Impek will have recovered in time for the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Aston Rowant trainer Lawney Hill was full of praise for Mr Splodge after he defied top weight to win in grand style at Leicester.

The 12-year-old put up a sparkling round of jumping under James Tudor in the handicap chase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs to beat Blue Sovereign by seven lengths.

Hill said: "He is a superstar and just jumped for fun the whole time."

Milton Harris's Edgcote stables, near Banbury continued their successful run when Before The Mast scored at Fakenham.

The nine-year-old was driven out by David Crosse to beat College City in the handicap chase over an extended two miles and five furlongs.

On the Flat, East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison sent out Odiham to land a two-mile Listed contest at Kempton.

The five-year-old was sent into the lead two furlongs from home by Steve Drowne, and he stayed on well to beat Ebor winner Mudawin by a length and a half.

Morrison was also on the mark with Sularno, who opened his account in a seven-furlong maiden at Southwell under Robert Havlin.

Maltese Falcon, from Paul Cole's Whatcombe stables, broke the six-furlong course record when storming to victory in a handicap at Lingfield.