'We want to show we're still number one' - Johnston continues red-hot streak

A flying start to 2021 has Britain's winningmost trainer Mark Johnston out to prove his yard can still be number one despite his ownership numbers dropping by around 20 per cent.

Lord Of The Alps escaped a penalty for his win at Wolverhampton five days ago and followed up in comfortable fashion under Oliver Stammers in the 1m4f handicap to give Johnston his seventh winner in as many days this year.

"We're in a good spell and long may it continue, particularly at the moment when owners aren't getting an awful lot of pleasure out of it. It makes it a lot easier talking to them when the horses have won," said Johnston, whose winners have come from only 13 runners.

"It's got to help because there must be a lot of owners out there looking at the invoices and re-evaluating what they want to do for 2021.

"Our numbers are down about 20 per cent from last year, but we're still a very big yard and we want to show we're still number one."

Johnston also revealed that prospective buyers have missed out on a bargain with the in-form Lord Of The Alps, who went unsold at the sales late last year and is due to return there in February with a much larger price on his head.

The trainer added: "I'm sure he'll be attracting a lot more interest this time. We were looking for £7,000 to £8,000 before and now we'll be looking for three times that or more."

Van Dijk on scoresheet - at last

The Antony Brittain-trained 20-race maiden Van Dijk broke his duck in unlikely style in the mile classified stakes when 5lb claimer Harry Russell guided him from near last to first up the home straight for a half-length victory.

"He's a tricky horse to deal with and he has his quirks," said Russell, who certainly earned his fee.

"All the way down the back I was thinking, 'It's a long way home here'. Going round the bend I gave him a couple smacks and he picked up nicely."

Fisher nails first double

Jonathan Fisher recorded his first double, but was then hit with a pair of two-day bans for misuse of the whip on the rides.

The 8-1 chance Headland upset 11-10 favourite Motawaafeq in the Class 6 mile handicap before Samovar continued his good form with a second victory from three runs over the last six days in the 6f handicap

Both winners came for trainer Scott Dixon, who completed a treble when Gossip struck in the apprentice handicap under Bradley Harris.

Results, replays and analysis

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