ARTHUR'S MINSTREL returned from a spell in the doldrums when beating Cuddy Dale by three quarters of a length in the Stag Handicap Chase at Sandown yesterday.

The objection subsequently launched by Kieran Gaule, rider of Cuddy Dae, against Arthur's Minstrel for coming across me at the last and halfway up the run in always looked flimsy and was quickly dismissed by the stewards.

Arthur's Minstrel's success continued the good run of conditional jockey Richard Johnson who had partnered Mr Mulligan to a big race success at Ascot on Wednesday.

Alan King representing winning trainer David Nicholson said: "He has really come right recently but is unlikely# to run at Cheltenham as he seems better round right handed tracks."

Nicholson and Johnson completed a double when Hurricane Lamp easily landed the bumper.

Tony McCoy who had won the earlier Squirrel Handicap Chase aboard Southampton, rode his 112th winner of the season when Golden Spinner landed the Badger

Novices' Chase.

Left in front with a circuit to race, Golden Spinner was always holding Falmouth Bay and had three lengths to spare over that rival at the line with the favourite Dark Honey a neck away in third.

McCoy told connections: "I just had to give him one slap, on the run in to keep him awake.

Golden Spinner a half brother to that well known chaser The Tsarevich had not run for 449 days and was also competing in his first ever steeplechase, eased in the betting from 4 to 1 to 6 to 1 and left his trainer pleasantly surprised.

Nicky Henderson said: "I was not sure that he was ready to win a race of this nature yet and I also thought he would need a longer trip."