RACING RETURNS

On a day when favourites dominated at the two jumps meetings in Britain, Romain De Senam put a spell in the doldrums behind him when making the most of a drop in class for a confidenceboosting success in the featured prize at Taunton.

Having contested the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham on his previous start, the Paul Nichollstrained seven-year-old gained his first win in more than a year in the HR Dept “Outs-Horsed” Employer’s Employment Advice Handicap Chase.

Racing over two miles and seven furlongs for the first time in his career, the 11-10 chance found plenty to see off Fox Appeal by two lengths and become the third of five favourites to win on the card.

The haul for market leaders at the Somerset track added to the four from six races at Doncaster.

Delighted assistant trainer Harry Derham said: “He was back down in class and he couldn’t have done more than what he did, but it is good all the same.

“Last time he was chasing Frodon on soft ground and probably got to the stage where he was thinking he couldn’t win.

“He was much more suited by the ground today and travelled better. He will never be a champion, but he is good at his level. Hopefully he will take a lot of confidence out of that.

“Harry (Cobden) rode him at Market Rasen first time out this season and said he wanted three miles. He is the type of horse that will win races between two and a half and three if the races look right.”