Lovelace in the Sandown swing

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston enjoyed a welcome return to the big occasion as Lovelace sprung an 18-1 surprise in the £100,000-added toteswinger Stakes at Sandown.

Many of the plaudits must go to jockey Jimmy Fortune, who remained calm and collected to pick his way through the field and arrive on the scene in good time.

Ace Of Hearts and Masaalek provided stern opposition, but Lovelace stuck his head out to prevail by a length and a quarter.

"We took him to Singapore in May but that was a mistake over six furlongs and as he has got older he has developed a stalls problem," said Johnston.

"Jamie Spencer rode him from the front last year but said he would love to hold him up and it has worked.

"I think this was his second try at a mile and there are lots of options now. He's still in at Newmarket next week."