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Michael Blake will return to Wiltshire relieved of a significant burden after a long losing run came to an end at Southwell.
Blake had gone 231 days without a winner over jumps, but a quiet Monday in Nottinghamshire proved fertile terrain for the Trowbridge handler.
A combination of wise placement and belligerent horsemanship hoisted the trainer from out of the cold, as Typical Oscar and Lamps came up trumps.
Blake said: "We've been hitting the crossbar recently so this was long overdue."
Tom Scudamore firstly played a significant role in getting Typical Oscar's head in front in the £10 Free Bet At 32RedSport.com Handicap Chase. The 9-4 favourite was naïve and not very willing for a large chunk of the race, and always looked to be chasing the coattails of Head Spin.
But Scudamore's companion was energised once the protagonists jumped the last as one. Head Spin did not do a great deal wrong, but Typical Oscar had more pluck and was driven out for a two-and-a-quarter-length call.
Scudamore, who was also in double form at the underrated Southwell jumps track, said: "It was only his second run in a handicap so he's inexperienced. I felt that all the way, but he got there when it mattered."
The old cliché about London buses then rang true 30 minutes later when Lamps, who, like Typical Oscar, is owned by the Moonlighters syndicate, vindicated 11-4 favouritism in the £20 Golf & Racing At Southwell Claiming Hurdle.
Gud Day was a worthy rival, but Nick Scholfield essentially put the race to bed two flights from home, after which he was not extended to score by 12 lengths.
"This horse is tricky. He didn't take to fences last time so it will be claimers all the way from now on," said Blake.
Some Plan is likely to be campaigned at a much higher level than Lamps after he made an accomplished hurdling bow for trainer Tom George and owner Roger Brookhouse. The 5-1 chance pulled nicely clear of 6-4 favourite King's Odyssey to take a competitive-looking 32Red.com "National Hunt" Novices´ Hurdle by two lengths.
Jockey Paddy Brennan said: "He's a lovely horse for the future. Roger Brookhouse won't be thinking low key."
George and Brennan got in on the act for a second time as Definitely Better (10-11 favourite) added to her gains at Exeter six days ago with a clean success in the Southwell Beer Festival Weekend 13th December Handicap Hurdle.
Herefordshire trainer Michael Scudamore also extolled the virtues of the "fantastic" No Through Road, who claimed a fourth victory on the spin in the All New 32RedSport.com Handicap Chase.
Though the 5-4 favourite grew a little leg-weary along the run-in, having taken the lead a long way out under Tom Scudamore, there was still enough in the tank to fend off Fuse Wire by a neck. N o Through Road's previous victory came at Hexham just three days ago, and he is now likely to be given a mini-holiday.
Michael Scudamore said: "He's been fantastic. Last year we couldn't have seen him winning one race, let alone four. To do it (achieve a four-timer) in 18 days takes some doing."
Jewellery's accurate jumping was similarly the defining factor behind her success in the 32Red Mares' Handicap Chase.
Victor Dartnall's in-form mare made all of the running under Paul John, but her lengthy advantage was curtailed once According To Sarah and Double Silver bustled into contention three out.
But while the 9-4 joint-favourite jumped that fence cleanly, Double Silver fell and According To Sarah faltered to put Dartnall's inmate 18 lengths in the clear at the line. The seven-year-old, who was also successful over fences at Exeter last month, is now under consideration for an all-weather winter campaign on the Flat.
"Her strength is her jumping so it may not work out," said the Devon handler, who also owns Jewellery.
Jamie Snowden limbered up for Present View's run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday when Monbeg Theatre (5-2) got home with just as much ease in the £15 Winter Warmer Southwell Golf Club Novices' Hurdle.
