The Yorkshire-based trainer got off the mark as the 14/1 chance Sennockian Star burst through in the closing stages to deny Luca Cumani’s Ajman Bridge in the opening bet365.com Stakes, a handicap over 10 furlongs. Johnston also saddled the third and fourth, Salutation and Busatto.

The last-named set a good gallop with Salutation shadowing him for most of the way. As he finally wore him down and looked the likely winner, Ajman Bridge arrived on the scene to join issue but it was Sennockian Star and Joe Fanning, third for most of the journey, who shot between horses to gain the day close home.

“I thought Salutation was going to win but then Luca’s horse came at us and looked like taking the race but it all worked out in the end,’’ Johnston said.

Sennockian Star has been contesting tough handicaps from the start of the season at Chester, York and Epsom. Like many of his trainer’s inmates he has known the occasional setback but still bounced back in style and a rising handicap mark has not kept him out of the winners’ enclosure. He was very well ridden by Fanning.

VAN PERCY

Another pulsating finish saw Andrew Balding’s Van Percy just outpoint warm favourite Havana Cooler in the bet365 Summer Stakes over a mile and three-quarters.

Dashing Star is a committed front-runner and again ran well to be fourth but could not hold off determined challengers. Havana Cooler runs this course well and, having been backed down to 5/2, very short indeed in a race of this nature, his long, raking run on the outside looked like taking the prize.

However, having dwelt a little at the start, no bad thing from a wide draw, Van Percy moved through for David Probert and prevailed by a neck with Noble Silk back in third.

Luca Cumani’s daughter Francesca had mixed feelings after this all-out battle. Luca trains Havana Cooler but she represents OTI, the Australian organisation which has bought Van Percy with a view to having a tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

Balding has been in form all season but was worried about the draw here, especially as he considered Van Percy (8/1) his best chance of the week on favoured fast ground.

“David has given him a textbook ride from a difficult draw and the Ebor is the obvious target now,’’ he said. “He’ll get in all right with his penalty but will need to go up another 10lb or so to get into the Melbourne Cup, but that’s why he was bought.’’

White Nile slipped on the bend, breaking his knee and leaving Paul Hanagan sidelined for the rest of the day.