HOWARD JOHNSON posted his 30th winner of the current campaign at Sedgefield yesterday when Lord Capitaine romped to an impressive victory.

"That's our best season for six years. I never expected to get to 30 winners and there have been one or two blips, but that proves our horses are still well in themselves, " said the Crook-based handler after Lord Capitaine had recorded his fourth course and distance win in the carpets-online.co.uk Handicap Chase.

Johnson said: "We've had a good clear out of the bad ones and I've got plenty of orders to buy some more horses. Some of the orders are from completely new owners and Alan Shearer is as keen as mustard." Favourite backers got off to a flying start when Indian Venture cruised to an easy five length win in the opening two mile Novices' Chase.

The Nicky Richards-trained market leader obliged under a supremely confident ride by Tony Dobbin, who was content to bide his time at the rear of the field for the first half of the contest.

But when Dobbin eased off the handbrake the response was immediate from Indian Venture and the combination made relentless progress to finally collar the long time leader Call Me Jack at the second last fence. From then on the result was never in doubt despite Indian Venture jumping badly right at the final obstacle. "He wants this better ground and that was the secret of his success today," said the winning trainer, who now plans to send Indian Venture to Perth's three-day festival. We'll keep going with him and hopefully he'll win one or two more before the end of the season."

Harvey Smith was on hand to greet his wife Sue's Tomenoso into the winner's enclosure following his battling success in the Top Bombing Handicap Hurdle.

Harvey is a great fan of Tomenoso's sire, the former Derby winner, Teenoso. "I've got a field full of them at home, they're tough and they stay," he explained.

After taking the Hunters' Chase for the second year in a row with Son Of Anshan, Northallerton Permit Holder Edwin Tuer intends sending the gelding back for the "Foxhunters" at Aintree's Grand National meeting, a race in which he finished a gallant third 12 months ago.

l Doncaster are seeking a new sponsor for the St Leger and three other prestigious races at their September meeting after Rothmans were forced to end their sponsorship.

The recent ban on tobacco advertising imposed by the Government means Rothmans (UK) Ltd can no longer back the world's oldest Classic. The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act, which came into effect last month, has also resulted in Rothmans having to withdraw their support of the Park Hill Stakes, May Hill Stakes and Champagne Stakes.

Rothmans had two years of a six-year deal still to run and last year's renewal of the St Leger was the richest in its history with a prize fund of £400,000