Johnson back in business with déjà vu

Howard Johnson’s powerful string has suffered a few reverses in recent days but Deja Vu got the County Durham trainer back in the winning groove at Sedgefield today.

After watching his Blairgowrie fall and Supreme Leisure pull up in earlier races, Johnson was relieved to see course and distance winner Deja Vu stay on strongly on the testing going to land the Betfred In Shops, On Phone And On-Line Handicap Hurdle by seven lengths from Little Big Horse.

The 7-2 winner was ridden by Tony Dobbin, who was also enjoying a change of luck, having been beaten on the favourite in the first three races.

“Our luck hasn’t been flowing. We’ve had too many fallers and I thought I was in a lull, so it’s nice to get a winner,” Johnson said.

“Deja Vu is a hardy little horse and he’ll jump a fence one day. Tony was worried about the ground but I wasn’t and when he came back in he said ‘you’re right again’.

“He could become another Teme Valley (a 10-time winner at Sedgefield) round here.”

Lord Transcend was a faller for the Johnson camp in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day but the grey was reported none the worse for the spill and is on course to return to action at Doncaster at the end of January.

Johnson said: “I had Lord Transcend checked over and he’s fine. He wants Tony Dobbin back on him.

“We are aiming him at the Great Yorkshire Chase if the ground is soft enough. It will have given him plenty of time to get over his fall and I think Doncaster will suit him.”

Flake made an impressive start to his career over fences with an easy victory in the first division of the Betfred ‘We Pay Double Result’ Beginners’ Chase.

Gino Carenza was always handy on the diminutive gelding as Jimmys Duky made the running with Zibeline, the 10-11 favourite, held up on the inside.

Flake went on four out and was never in any danger thereafter and the Sue Smith-trained 11-4 chance coasted home 17 lengths clear of Daguyda.

The trainer’s husband Harvey said: “He’s always been a grand little horse and has jumped well at home. Another hand and he’d be a machine.”

Zibeline finished tailed off last of the five finishers after making mistakes.

Paul Robson took a crashing fall from The Sleeper at the second-last and appeared to be stepped on by another horse in the stomach. He was taken to North Tees Hospital for examination.

Minster Shadow put up a brave staying performance to land the betfred.com Novices’ Hurdle over a stamina-sapping three miles three furlongs.

Richard McGrath sent the 11-4 shot to the front going on to the far side for the final time and he galloped his rivals into submission to score by three lengths from the 13-8 favourite Four Melons.

Trainer Chris Grant said: “He’s not quick but he stays all day and he keeps galloping, plus he jumped better today than he did at Wetherby last time.

“We only gave three and a half grand for him at Doncaster two years ago and he’s won three races now and looks cheap.”

Hope Sound jumped like an old hand to run out the easy winner of the second division of the beginners’ chase.

Brian Ellison’s four-year-old was sent on by Wilson Renwick at the third-last fence and was soon clear, finishing 13 lengths clear of Totally Scottish.

The winner went off at 8-1, but the victory was not unexpected.

“The trip (two miles five furlongs) and the ground came right. He was well fancied today and he jumps like a cat for a four-year-old,” said Ellison.

“We’ll keep him small for now and look for something over two and a half miles on heavy ground for him.”

Supreme Leisure, the 5-4 favourite, was pulled up after blundering badly at the fifth fence.

There was a popular success when King Of The Arctic (8-1) beat Stormy Beech by three lengths in the betfred.com Early Prices From 10am Handicap Chase for local trainer John Wade, who is based at nearby Morden.

King Of The Arctic was winning for the first time over fences and Wade said: “He was a bit sticky at first, but he jumped better once he got going.”

Miss Royello won a maiden chase here earlier this month and followed up off a mark of 81 on her handicap debut at Hexham eight days later.

Ann Hamilton’s mare completed her hat-trick in tremendous style in the betfred.com Now On Line Handicap Chase despite a 10lb hike up the ratings.

Miss Royello (11-4) jumped well for Peter Buchanan to come home 23 lengths clear of Place Above in the three-mile-three-furlong test.

Buchanan went on to complete a 40-1 double when he got Mr Midaz (10-1) home in front in the closing Betfred ‘The Bonus King’ Handicap Hurdle.