CHESTER'S prestigious May meeting burst into life on Wednesday afternoon and Franny Norton showed why he is top jockey on the Roodee when shining on Kimberella for Thirsk trainer Dandy Nicholls in the Boodles Diamond Handicap.

The Liverpool-born rider launched the six-year-old past Roudee inside the final furlong to score by three-quarters of a length.

"He ran well the last day and we're over the moon he's won. The lad (Franny Norton) rides the track well," said Nicholls.

The ultra-competitive Chester Cup went the way of the Nicky Henderson-trained No Heretic under a strong ride from Jamie Spencer.

Having his first run on the Flat for more than 900 days, No Heretic again advertised the skills of the dual-purpose handler.

Having raced keenly in the early stages, the eight-year-old did well to hang on late in the piece as Iain Jardine's Nakeeta was delivered with a sustained challenge.

A photo-finish was called, but No Heretic got the verdict by a short head.

Spencer said: "That's only his second run since 2013. To win a Chester Cup is a tremendous training performance."

The newly-laid Tapeta surface at Newcastle has received the thumbs-up from trainers and jockeys after a successful trial took place at the course on Tuesday morning.

Newcastle is set to stage its first all-weather meeting on Tuesday, May 17.

About 40 horses trained by Karl Burke, Ruth Carr, Ann Duffield, Michael Dods, Brian Ellison and Richard Fahey took part in gallops over trips ranging from 5f to 1m 4f, under the eye of BHA course inspectors Nicky Carlisle and Chris Dennis.

Among the jockeys taking part was Paul Mulrennan, who said: "It is riding really well; it is amazing what they have done in a short space of time.

"It rides very similar to Wolverhampton, but that is a sharp track and this is much more galloping. I would say this is probably the fairest of the all-weather tracks; the best horse is always going to win here."

Dougie Costello echoed the tactical possibilities the course offers and said: "There are big sweeping bends out of the back and you can ride a front-running race.

"The surface hasn't totally bedded in yet and it is a bit dead at the moment. But the more it gets used, the better it will be, like a new pair of shoes."

Tearing up the old turf course at Newcastle was not universally popular and former jockey George Duffield, who rode for his wife Ann in the trials, said: "I wasn't in favour of the change to the all-weather. Many people saw it as a cardinal sin, but it is here now and we have got to get on with it.

"This is the first time I have ridden on this sort of surface, other than at Mark Johnston's, and I thought it was superb. It will suit all horses as it is not too quick, not too slow and with no kickback."

His wife added: "We all wanted an all-weather track in the North. We wanted it in Yorkshire, but that said, it is here now and if they put decent prize money up, it will be supported."

Clerk of the course James Armstrong said: "I am really pleased with the feedback from the jockeys. We are on a learning curve and the track will evolve and settle in, but I am pleased we are setting off on the right note.

"The Tapeta has only been down for a month and we have only been working it the last two or three weeks. We should have it spot on for May 17."