Johnson confirms return to form

HOWARD JOHNSON emphasised his return to form with an 18 to 1 double at Newcastle yesterday. Victories by Aly Daley (6-1) and Tom Brodie (7-4) made it three wins in two racing days for the Crook trainer, who only got off the mark for the season a fortnight ago.

They also provided some compensation for the enforced retirement of his Grand National third Over The Deel who broke a knee at Kelso recently.

Norman Williamson hid to get down to his minimum weight of 10st to ride Aly Daley in the Barbour Durham Handicap Chase but he was seen at his strongest on a less than wholly enthusiastic winner.

Setting off in front, he was giving his mount reminders as early as the third fence, was never able to ease off the pressure and looked odds on to be caught by the smoothly travelling Ceilidh Boy and Strong Deel turning for home.

But he drove the reappearing eight year old into each of the last four obstacles, was rewarded with fine leaps at each and had three quarters of a length to spare over Ceilidh Boy at the line.

Williamson had things easier in the Barbour Billy Bow Handicap Hurdle on Tom Brodie, who cruised through to head long time leader Bures at the last flight, although he then needed fairly vigourous riding to hold off Done Well by a length and a quarter.

"Tom Brodie has learned to settle and jump better," said a delighted Johnson who may give the gelding a raise in grade soon. "He's not a big horse to be carrying 11st 11lb and he'll go for another small race, then we'll see about something better."

Stable companion Thunderstruck made a bold bid to complete a Johnson hat trick under Robert Thornton in the W.K. Backhouse Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase. But the front runner was caught after the last by Blazing Dawn and went down by four lengths.