'It's fantastic to have people here' - Johnson on the mark as crowds return

Richard Johnson hailed the return of crowds as "fantastic" after the four-time champion jockey gave racegoers something to cheer with a hard-fought victory on Adrimel.

Johnson headed to the course just to ride the Tom Lacey-trained five-year-old and brought home the 8-11 favourite for a workmanlike success in the 1m7½f introductory hurdle.

Haydock welcomed back a crowd of 900 on a key day for racing, with general admissions, annual members and hospitality at the track for the first time since the Grand National Trial fixture on February 15.