However, seeing is not always believing and Johnson's assistant Ray Hawkey said: "Tony was full of praise for the horse. He said he was beaten at the bottom of the hill, but kept finding more for him when he asked and he said he was only hanging on the run-in because he was legless.

"Cooldine Lad had not completed on his last three runs, but before the race Rachel Kirtley who looks after him said to me that I ought to back him because he had improved a ton since his last run a month ago."

Nicky Richards has his horses in cracking form and having moved on to the 13-winner mark for the season with a treble at Kelso on Saturday, he was pleased to take his score along in double style with Role On and Faasel.

His runners always have to be respected at his local course, and Role On (9-2) started the ball rolling with a game success under Rose Dobbin in CBS Outdoor Beginners' Chase.

Richards said: "He jumped great and Rose gave him a super ride, he stays all day and that is what won him the race."

New stable jockey Davy Condon had the leg up on Faasel (5-2) and gave him a finely-judged ride to land the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Graduation Chase.

Richards said: "We may run Faasel in a similar race or we could go for a handicap or even have a look at the Long Walk Hurdle, he is a very good hurdler."

Lenny Lungo produced Skippers Brig fit and ready to defy the very testing ground and make a successful return to the fray under Wilson Renwick in the CBS Outdoor Novices' Chase.

The 4-1 chance, winner of three of his six races during the 2006-07 campaign, was making his first appearance since the 2007 Cheltenham Festival and it looked as if he had it all to do to collar Andrew Nick, who had gone on at halfway and was clear jumping the fourth-last.

But he gradually made ground to challenge on the run-in and edge two lengths clear, and Lungo said: "A small tendon injury kept him off but we gave him plenty of time and we have got the right place to get them ready, mind you we have left something to work on.

"He is a serious horse as he proved over hurdles and will be better over three miles - I don't see him as a Cheltenham horse but he could become a top staying chaser and he could go next to Ayr or Newcastle, although I wouldn't take Red Rum to Newcastle until they take some birch out of those fences!"

Malko De Beaumont gained his second course success of season when showing the way home under Mark Bradburne in the Lloyd Volvo XC60 Handicap Chase, after which trained Alan Brown said: "It is the sign of a good horse when it can win from two miles up to three miles. He is rated 104 but I think he is a horse who could go a lot higher."

Local trainer Ian McMath heaved a sigh of relief when Nicozetto, partnered by Barry Keniry, came out best in the Lucius Handicap Chase, winning easily despite a mistake at the last.

McMath said: "We needed that, we have not had a winner for a while. The going was a worry and I must admit this morning I did not want to bring him here but the owners were keen to have a go and I am glad they were - if it had been a hurdle race I would have said have your house on him."