THE Grade 3 The Ladbroke (a handicap hurdle) is one of the most valuable and competitive events of the first half of the season and it was won at Ascot on Saturday by the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding Bayan.

A son of the now retired Coolmore Stud classic sire Danehill Dancer (by Danehill), the five-year-old has won just two of his 14 starts on the flat but he is a high-class performer over obstacles where his five wins also include the Grade C Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel, which he won last year.