Kerry Lee's profitable first season with a licence continues apace as Mr Bachster returned to form in the Haygain Hay Steamers Clean Healthy Forage Handicap Chase at Towcester.
Lee is praying Chepstow's Welsh National meeting on Saturday survives as she has been making bullish noises about Mountainous' chance of regaining the prize he won in 2013 and the way her horses are running, it will take a brave soul to back against her.
Mr Bachster (12-1) won at Fontwell in November but fell and pulled up on his next two outings. However, he bounced back to his best as he held off 11-10 favourite Winged Express by three lengths.
Winning rider Jamie Moore said: "When the going gets tough, Kerry's horses come to the fore.
"He'd disappointed the last twice, but firstly he was running back only four days after winning and last time it was over hurdles. He gave me a better feel today than when he won at Fontwell."
Venetia Williams is another trainer who thrives when the mud is flying and Eminent Poet (4-5 favourite) defied a penalty in the Sherston Wine Company Ltd Handicap Hurdle under Aidan Coleman.
"He's very small but he was well-in at the weights today," said Coleman.
"He's got a lovely attitude and did it nicely, but he was a short price so he was entitled to. It's attritional going but 110% raceable."
Sunny Ledgend (12-1) won for the first time since January 2013 for the father and son team of Andrew and James Martin in the Haygain Hay Steamers Clean Healthy Hay Handicap Chase.
"He's a great ride, he jumped for fun," James Martin told At The Races.
"He was a bit off it last season, but we felt he was just coming back to form at home on the gallops."
David Bass is enjoying a good time of things at present and partnered Pulling Power to victory for Kim Bailey in the Haygain Hay Steamers Clean Healthy Forage Mares' "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle.
Pulling Power was sent off the 11-10 joint-favourite along with Happy Diva and it all came down to a big jump at the last for Bass' mount.
"We've always thought she wanted better ground," said Bass.
"She was in three races but I told Kim that Towcester would suit her as she just keeps going. Two miles around here would bring her stamina into play as she really wants further and that is what happened."
Debra Hamer's Billy Bronco caused a 20-1 upset in the closing bumper, while Black Narcissus (2-1) gave Alex Dunn another winner in the EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase.