Pumblechook shines for Johnston on a rain-swept afternoon

With rain all afternoon it was more a day for ducks than horses, but one who coped well with the softening ground was Pumblechook, who maintained the fine run of trainer Mark Johnston by returning to form to land the 1m6f handicap under Joe Fanning.

The four-year-old, who runs in the colours of Christopher Johnston – best known as the owner of that fine chaser Johns Spirit – coped well with the ground to win his third race of the season.

Charlie Johnston, representing his father, said: "We ran him over two miles two furlongs at Newbury last time and it was too far for him.