Romany Chat, owned and trained by Rosemary Gasson at Shutford near Banbury, bounced back to his best to land the Men's Open at the Berks & Bucks Draghounds meeting at Kingston Blount on Sunday.

Stonesby, right, leads Crewski on the way to victory in the Hunt Members' race at Kingston Blount

The 11-year-old gelding, a winner at Dunthrop in March, was sent into the lead by Hook Norton jockey Andy Martin at the second last, and galloped on powerfully to beat Esprit De Cotte by ten lengths, with the hot favourite Struggles Glory 12 lengths back in third.

Gasson, who now plans to run Romany Chat in the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford on Saturday, was thrilled to see her stable star back in the winner's enclosure.

"He has had a bit of a niggling breathing problem, but he is a most genuine horse," she said.

Free was made an odds-on shot to follow up his runaway success in the Ladies' Open at the last Kingston meeting, but parted company with Gemma Hutchinson on the first circuit, leaving the way clear for The Wiley Kalmuck and Zoe Turner to score.

Philip York took the day's riding honours with a double on recent course winner Charlie's Angel in the Confined and West Pal in the Open Maiden.

Tanager was another winner from the last Kingston meeting to strike again, coming with a flying finish under Joe Docker to get up and beat Rommel by a head in the Restricted.

Sally Duckett posted her first winner of the year with a bloodless success on Stonesby in the Hunt Members' race after lone rival Crewski pulled up on the second circuit.