Jonjo O'Neill came out of the doldrums when Basic Fact gave the Jackdaws Castle trainer his first winner for four weeks at Leicester.

Gay Smith's five-year-old, sporting the colours of Black Jack Ketchum, landed a game victory in the feature ladbrokes.com Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase.

Suited by a fast pace and under a vigorous ride from Tony McCoy, the 12-1 shot led at the final fence and held last year's runner-up Mandingo Chief by half a length.

"AP gave him a fantastic ride," said O'Neill's representative Paddy Brennan, who is not related to the jump jockey of the same name.

"He takes a bit of riding, but he stuck on gamely and it's good to get his head in front. They went a good gallop and that was the key."

O'Neill and McCoy were denied a double when Olay Olay just failed to make all in the ladbrokes.com Vale of Belvoir Novices' Chase.

He was headed after the last by Bengo, the 9-4 favourite, who held Olay Olay's renewed effort by a neck to open his account over fences in the hands of Robert Thornton, who was riding him for the first time.

"He's run in handicaps, he's run in staying chases and we were just beginning to think what to do with him," said trainer Ben de Haan.

"This race came along and he was well-in ratings-wise. I told Robert to ride him as he found him and how he wanted.

"I think he would have won easier if he hadn't missed the last ditch. We hope this has done his confidence good."

Stumped (13-2) surprised his trainer Henry Daly by coming from last to first in the ladbrokes.com Leicestershire Handicap Hurdle.

He came through the pack to lead two out and draw nine lengths clear of Mohayer.

"I thought he was going to be last down the back, but they went a hell of a gallop and he likes soft ground, " said Daly, who was ending a 27-day winless spell.

One Gulp also relished the conditions when following up a Newbury success in the ladbrokes.com Novices' Hurdle.

The 5-2 favourite led at the final flight under Dominic Elsworth and ran on well to beat the strong-finishing 100-1 shot Rock Wren by two lengths.

"We haven't made any plans for her as it all depends on the ground," said trainer Paul Webber.

Zorro De La Vega survived an inquiry to give trainer David Pipe a winner from his only runner at the track in the ladbrokes.com Lewis Cully 21st Birthday Novices' Handicap Chase.

The 7-2 market leader went across to the nearside rail on the run-in but it made no difference as Tom Scudamore's mount held King Diamond by a length and a half. However, Scudamore received a caution from the stewards.

Axinit (5-1) ran his rivals ragged to register an easy all-the-way win in the ladbrokes.com Hoby Selling Hurdle.

Conditional jockey John Flavin, who claims 7lb, snatched a handy lead down the back as Axinit came home unchallenged by nine lengths from Sninfia. The winner was retained by the Evan Williams stable for 5,000 guineas.