Richard Johnson was left ruing the one that got away after partnering a 36-1 plus treble at Wincanton today following wins for Jingle Rose, Castle Lynch and Good Time Melody.
Title-chasing Johnson looked like making it four winners aboard Meadows Boy in the concluding Cerne Abbas Novices` Handicap Hurdle when disaster struck and the partnership parted company after an error at the final flight with their closest rivals 30 lengths adrift.
The incident left an embarrassed and dejected Johnson with a long walk back to the weighing room. However on the bright side the three-timer took his tally to 114, narrowing the gap between himself and Tony McCoy to 12 winners as the champion was out of luck at Leicester.
The victory of Good Time Melody proved music to the ears of trainer Alan King after the seven-year-old was left clear to land the Silver Buck Handicap Chase when Murt`s Man, upsides at the time, hit the deck three out and knocked Act In Time out of the race.
King smiled: 'I had planned to run him in the maiden race at Leicester but looked at this race and decided to come here as the race was worth twice as much prize money and I`m glad I did now.
'This was his first attempt at this sort of trip but he`s an out and out stayer. He`s done it well and jumped well and could be just the type for the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next March,' he added.
The ex-French Jingle Rose had mystified trainer Philip Hobbs when flopping badly on his British debut at Hereford last time but made handsome amends when making all to lift the Chard Juvenile Novices` Hurdle.
Hobbs explained: 'I just couldn`t work out why he ran so badly but he pulled hard and made mistakes at Hereford. However today he settled a bit better and he`s won but it was a poor race.'
Dorset trainer Colin Tizzard intends aiming Castle Lynch at the final of the EBF/Tattersalls (Ireland) Mares Only Chase at Uttoxeter in March after the eight-year-old collected the qualifier at the expense of Dixie River.
Paul Nicholls` Blackwater Brave followed up his recent course victory when repeating the dose to win the Dick Reynolds Conditional Jockeys Handicap Chase.
Sam Stronge always had the seven-year-old up with the pace before taking a definite advantage seven out and beating Blackwater Fashion.
'Sam is riding very well at present and I`m pleased for him,' said the Shepton Mallet trainer.
'The race the horse won last time was not very good but he`s won well enough again today and he`s the type who will win more races around the West Country.'
Josh Gifford was over the moon after Moonshine Boy defied an absence of 610 days from racecourse action to turn the Tote Quick Pick Showcase Handicap Hurdle into a one-horse show under Philip Hide.
The final flight departure of Meadows Boy which deprived Johnson of a four timer allowed Auburn Spirit to get the better of a dogged battle with Rift Valley to land the spoils.
