Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon’s plan to strike first time out this autumn with Drop Out Joe at Chepstow came to fruition as the gelding galloped to an impressive success.

Longsdon had earmarked a valuable handicap chase over two miles and seven furlongs for the seven-year-old’s reappearance on Saturday.

And the move paid off as the 5-1 shot powered clear up under Aidan Coleman, before held off the fast-finishing Buachaill Alainn by a length and a quarter.

“That’s been the plan for a long time, but I was worried it was more competitive than I thought it would be,” said Longsdon.

“I am over the moon. I’ve always thought there was a big race in him and he won it nicely in the end."

Longsdon and Coleman also combined with Azure Fly at Ludlow and Ready Token also hit the target for the duo when defying top weight with a 15-length romp in a handicap chase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs at Market Rasen.

On the Flat, Wantage trainer Henry Candy was full of praise for Chain Of Daisies after the filly took another step up the ladder by capturing the Dubai Pride Stakes in game fashion at Newmarket.

Dane O’Neill repeated the front-running tactics which has seen the three-year-old land handicaps at Goodwood, Sandown and York this summer to take the Listed contest over a mile and a quarter by a neck from Crystal Zvezda.

Candy said of the 11-1 shot: “She is magic and she’s grown all year. She’s now a big girl.

“She’s a joy to train and I think she’ll stay in training next year. I think she’ll continue her progression as she’s got the size and scope to develop.”

Candy has enjoyed a stellar season, and is set to go for more glory on Saturday with the unbeaten Twilight Son in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.

Meanwhile, Alex Hales, who trains as Edgcote, near Banbury, got off the mark for the season when Isaac Bell triumphed at Huntingdon on Tuesday.