Inglis Drever takes John Smith's Hurdle

Inglis Drever began the defence of his British Horseracing Board Order of Merit title with victory in the John Smith's Hurdle.

The six-year-old led two out and stayed on too strongly for Redemption to score by three lengths, with Tees Components another nine lengths away third.

Graham Lee had the Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner ideally placed in fourth place on the inside as Yogi went well clear in the early stages.

When the Irish gelding cried enough before the home turn with three hurdles left, Tees Components went on but Inglis Drever was going so well that he set sail for home at the penultimate flight.

Redemption tried to mount a serious challenge but the 2-1 favourite held far too many guns to make a successful seasonal debut.

Winning trainer Howard Johnson told Channel 4: "I don't really get started until this meeting, but I haven't been happy with the horses. Hopefully they are coming back. He’s an improver – a proper little terrier. He’s a lovely horse to train and if I had 20 like him I wouldn’t want 120!”

Lee said: "I wanted to drop him in a little bit more than that but he got into such a rhythm. He never missed a beat, he was superb - so professional. He really travels and jumps."