WELSH trainer Peter Bowen has long had the reputation for improving horses, but with Genghis he felt his powers might have been waning until he succeeded in the two-mile three-furlong Beginners Chase at Hereford Ladies' Day meeting.

Having won the Scottish Champion Hurdle two years ago, it was confidently predicted that Genghis would make his mark over fences, and possible Grade One events would be within his scope. But it was to no avail until last Sunday's meeting.

Bowen, a frequent visitor to the track, commented: "I cannot put my finger on it but he was just not himself last season and even first time out this time he was a bit flat.

"But he has blossomed since and has done that well today. Hopefully now that he has delivered the goods over fences, he will keep going.

"This win is our 11th of the new season and puts us on almost £100,000 in prizemoney so things are going well," he added.

Genghis and Tom O'Brien took up the running at the fourth fence and, despite a chasing Tony McCoy aboard Hero Again in second place, maintained the lead for a comfortable length-and-a-half victory over the runner-up.

Fellow Welsh trainer Evan Williams had experienced similar problems with the ex-Irish Back In Business after a couple of defeats last winter. But the seven-year-old Bob Back gelding has now struck the form his breeding suggested with a vengeance and he scored again in the extended 3m 1f handicap chase.

Ridden by the quietly successful Paul Maloney, Back in Business gave an assured performance to score.

Williams said: "I could not believe he got beaten at Towcester on Boxing Day when I thought he was a certainty, but we got him back and doubled his daily work and he has not looked back since."

Trainer Alan King has quickly become one to follow at the Holmer track and his supporters were celebrating after the opening two-mile one-furlong novices hurdle when his Fantastisch ran away from the opposition in the hands of rider Robert Thornton.

Thornton doubled up at the meeting when he partnered Khumbu to win the concluding Bumper race, giving trainer Richard Phillips a one-two, with possibly mixed feelings as well as the winner was sent off at 12/1 with the second a well-backed 6/4 favourite.