ALAN King was also happy with classy flat performer Scarlet Dragon’s first try over obstacles in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle. The five-year-old was awkward at the third and looked like dropping away at one stage but realised what was required and kept on to be second to wide-margin winner Global Citizen.

The successful six-year-old has an interesting past. He won a maiden point at Bellurgan Park and transferred to Jonjo O’Neill with £275,000 changing hands.