HEREFORDSHIRE'S Richard Johnson is currently leading the jump jockeys' championship and is rattling off the winners each week, writes Graham Saveker.

But his mother, Sue, who trains at the family home at Bridge Sollars, had her first winner for 474 days at Hereford when her Over Bridge sprang an opening race 20/1 surprise win.

In the hands of Jody Mogford, the five-year-old took up the running in the back straight and the partnership were untroubled to score by eight lengths from Summer Bounty in the two-mile three-furlong Novices Handicap Hurdle.

Sue said: "We turned him out at the end of last season as he didn't seem to be quite right, but he's matured now. All his family take time, so hopefully he can improve again."

Husband Keith said ruefully: "I wanted to have a few pounds on him but my wife wouldn't let me as he had been very disappointing."

The stewards on the day held an inquiry into the improvement in form and they forwarded connections' comments to the Jockey Club at Portman Square so that his previous runs could be considered.

Trainer Alan King has long held a high opinion of his young hurdler Trouble at Bay and was surprised at his last run at Kempton where he finished a well beaten fourth.

But in the Juvenile Novice hurdle at Hereford, he had no trouble in the hands of Robert Thornton, leading approaching the second last and winning by 10 lengths. Connections still retain a high opinion of his ability and the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham remains an aim.