Blue is the colour at Doncaster

Blue Bajan earned himself a step up in class by posting a smooth success in the first division of the skyvegas.com Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.

The former smart Flat performer was settled in mid-division by Graham Lee as Akarem took the field in to the straight.

After making smooth headway to the second last, the 8-13 favourite just thought about making his effort before asserting after the last, eventually going away to win by three lengths.

He was cut to 14-1 from 16s by the sponsors for the totesport Trophy and 25s from 33-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Winning trainer Andy Turnell said: “He did very well there and Graham seemed fairly pleased with him.

“We’ll have a conference about where he goes next but he may go for the totesport Trophy.

“He got there very early. He did it very easily but he may be better for that as he has had a layoff.”