Hollybank Buck gave jockey Francis Flood his first success in Britain with a spirited performance in the £38,000 Tote Eider Chase at Newcastle on Saturday.

Approaching the end of the four mile one furlong handicap, three horses were still in close contention.

It was a nip and tuck battle all the way to the line, with Hollybank Buck showing plenty of pluck to deny Full of Oats by a neck. Young Kenny's fall at the first fence saved the bookmakers a packet. He was slashed to 9 to 4 favourite from 7 to 2 and would have taken out more than £50,000 in major bets alone.

Hollybank Buck's success was maintaining a fine record for Tony Martin on his rare visits to Britain.

"It's nice to get this win in the bag before Cheltenham. I hope this is a good sign for us for the Festival," he said.

Martin, who still mixes riding with training, first sprang to prominence in Britain as an amateur jockey when steering Smooth Escort to victory in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Martin had left no stone unturned in his efforts to ensure that Hollybank Buck was spot on for Saturday's stamina test.

"We brought him over on Thursday and he's been round the track several times to get acquainted. I knew he would be fresh and well for this," he said.