Cinders scorches Aintree trail

Cinders And Ashes was introduced into the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting at 16-1 after opening his account over timber at Aintree.

Having finished a creditable second on his hurdling debut at Ascot, he was sent off the 6-5 favourite to go one place better, despite meeting old adversary Keys, who denied him in a bumper at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

Grand National-winning jockey Jason Maguire always looked confident on the four-year-old, who tracked Ile De Re into the straight before taking up the running at the second-last.

Given an inch of rein, he pulled clear of Keys to win the Jaguar Northern Dealers Maiden Hurdle by nine lengths.

Winning trainer Donald McCain said: “The ground was slow enough for him, but he just did what we thought he would do.

“We’ve always thought plenty of him and he was only a youngster last season. We’ll step him up in grade now and maybe go to Haydock in the new year but Cheltenham will be his aim. He’s very smart.”