Johnson savours his Catterick double

Alison Thorpe's Oenologue, shouldering a 7lb penalty for a success at Fontwell eight days ago, had only one behind him turning for home in the catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap Hurdle – but was always travelling well.

Johnson consented to give him his head going to the final fence, where he eased away to beat King In Waiting by three lengths. The jockey said: "I have ridden one winner here in the past, but it was a long time ago." Rupert Lamb (8-1) impressed on his racecourse debut in the concluding bumper.

Trainer Sally Hall's assistant, Colin Platts, said: "He has never come off the bridle at home and, to be honest, I thought he would win. He is from a good family and we have left a bit to work on."

Poker De Sivola rode his luck to gain his first success of the season at the fourth attempt in the Weatherbys Bank Novices' Chase. It looked as if Donald McCain's Vforvictory just had his measure as they approached the final fence, but the leader took a crashing fall – leaving the 13-8 shot in the clear.

Graham Lee's mount went on to score by 24 lengths from Passport Control and is now Cheltenham-bound. The winner is the only horse owner David Johnson has with Ferdy Murphy, who said: "He will now go to the Festival for the Kim Muir or the four-miler (National Hunt Chase)."

McCain had better luck 30 minutes earlier, however, when he completed a 1-2 in the opening "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle at Catterick. Even-money favourite Empty Sky, ridden by stable jockey Jason Maguire, made all the running and stayed on well up the straight to hold off stablemate Twentynineblack (20-1) by four and a half lengths. McCain, taking his score to 61 for the season, is only one winner behind his total for last season.

The trainer said of Empty Sky: "He was a Darley horse, he is going the right way and he wants a fence. He jumps well and that is what will win him his races. I also like the second horse – he is getting back to something like his best."