Cinders And Ashes fires

Cinders And Ashes: Ran out a ready winner

Cinders And Ashes won the williamhill.com 'Supreme Trial' Novices' Hurdle at Haydock.

The five year old was sent off a long odds-on favourite in the Grade Two contest registered as the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle and won readily despite a mistake at the last.

Donald McCain's charge had jumped well prior to that in the testing ground, however, and last year's Champion Bumper fifth is likely to have booked a return to the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Ridden by Jason Maguire, the pair were content to track the pace set by Challow Hurdle third Double Ross with the other rival Oscar Nominee in rear.

The latter struggled with his jumping throughout and was never a factor despite a late rally but Cinders And Ashes was able to pick off the pacesetter at will and was good value for the two and a half length winning margin.

Slicker Jumping

Winning jockey Jason Maguire said: "He jumped great and settled really well. "He got in a bit tight at the last, but that was me being more careful than anything else.

"On good ground we think his jumping will be slicker - we're hopeful he'll be a better horse on better ground."

McCain said: "I'm relieved. I didn't really want to run him on this (heavy) ground again as he didn't like it the last day.

"I was looking for other options but couldn't find anything else suitable so we've gone down the tried-and-tested route.

"We did it with Peddlers Cross and this was a bit of a hiding to nothing.

"He's done it really well and Jason said he jumped great apart from the last. Everything he does he does very well.

"He travelled like the best horse in the Cheltenham bumper last year but he didn't quite get home.

"He was only four then, but he's grown and changed a lot over the summer - he's very exciting.

"That will be it for him before Cheltenham."

Sky Bet make the winner a 12-1 chance from 14s for the Supreme Novices' with Stan James going the same price from 16s.