GLOBAL Citizen, who cost a great deal of money when moving from Jonjo O’Neill to Ben Pauling and looked a possible champion at one stage, took a firm step in the right direction when making all under 11st 10lb in the Listed Ladbrokes Intermediate Hurdle, a limited handicap over the extended two miles.

Racing freely for David Bass, he never looked like being caught and was at least two lengths clear at the final flight, though Alan King’s Lisp closed to within half a length at the line, with Mont Des Avaloirs inches behind.