THE point-to-point purists were delighted to see Burning Ambition continue his progress through the ranks by winning on his debut in open company at Moira on Saturday – and so too was the bay’s breeder, Peter Byrne.

Trained by Pierce Power for Alexandria Gardner and ridden as usual by Rob James, the 2011 Scorpion gelding was winning for the fourth time in five starts, his only defeat coming first time out at Ballinaboola in February. He finished second that day, beaten four lengths by Fightfirewithfire.