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Favourite backers made a beeline for the nearest bar after The Lost Storm got the verdict by a short half head in the Bold David Free For All.

Taking on the open class pacers for the first time, The Lost Storm was installed a prohibitive $1.08 favorite from his inside alley and was able to hold the lead while Yambukian landed leading the outside horses.

The Lost Storm appeared set for victory when he gave his rivals the slip approaching the home turn however Yambukian refused to yield and kept coming in the home straight and made a dive on the line to go down by the narrowest of margins.

The Lost Storm reeled off a 55.2 last 800 metres in returning a mile rate of 1:53.9 for the 2240 metres.

Driver Mark Pitt wasn't disappointed in the brevity of the winning margin.

"He's come into tonight without a trial and it's his first up run against the open class horses,  so I am full of praise for him running 53 and a piece for the middle trip," Pitt said.

"I couldn't knock his run and most of those horses in the race tonight are pretty seasoned so you can't be disappointed," he said.

"Pitt acknowledged The Lost Storm didn't get it all his own way in the lead.

"It was a pretty genuine tempo and Yambukian put a little bit of pressure on but as I said I'm full of praise for him," he said.