Lengthy absence proves no problem for Sam Brown at Lingfield

Sam Brown, who took the notable scalps of Lalor and Chef Des Obeaux when winning two bumpers in 2017, returned from a mammoth 750-day absence to take his record to four wins from just five career starts in the 2m7½f novice chase at Lingfield.

Apart from one mistake, it was hard to fault the eight-year-old's first effort over fences, which earned him a quote of 40-1 with Paddy Power for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March.

"His bumper form was very good and novice hurdle form solid, but he's just had various problems," said winning rider Aidan Coleman, having partnered Sam Brown to a 22-length success as the 6-5 favourite.