Donald McCain is keen to keep things low-key for the time being with Kie following his most impressive chasing debut at Musselburgh.

The four-year-old struck twice and also ran some decent races in defeat during his juvenile year over hurdles and his trainer has decided to send him straight over the larger obstacles this term, where he gets a handy age allowance.

Supporters of the 6-5 favourite had an early scare in the Musselburgh Interactive Beginners' Chase as Kie brushed through the first fence, but he was clear with a circuit to go and produced some fine leaps, winging the final fence on his way to an 11-length win under Jason Maguire.

"That was grand. He made that mistake at the first but he probably needed that as he's been a bit bold and it doesn't do them any harm if they stand up," said McCain.

"He's only four, but he's from a good jumping family and his way of racing suits running in two-mile chases. He could be a nice prospect, but we'll just take things steady for the time being."

McCain and Maguire went on to complete doubles in the following R&M Mike Finnie 25th Anniversary Novices' Hurdle as 9-2 shot Smadynium beat the consistent Maybe I Wont by a length and three-quarters.

The trainer went on: "He did it well and we've been looking for a bit of better ground with him. He's a genuine horse and he'll get a bit further, and there will be more races to be won with him."

Newcastle-based handler Michael Smith believes there is more to come from Imperial Vic (9-4) after he overcame obvious signs of inexperience to take top honours in the Be One Step Ahead Maiden Hurdle under a positive ride from Danny Cook, beating McCain's favourite Dannanceys Hill.

Smith said: "I'm really pleased with him. He's done it really well. It was only his third run on a racecourse. I know he's run in a lot of point-to-points, but he's still a bit green. We'll just take things slowly with him for the time being. He's a nice horse and hard as nails."

Wilson Renwick rode a double, scoring on Nine Stories (8-1) in the Dalhousie Bonnyrigg 720 Handicap Hurdle and 11-2 shot Clever Cookie in the bumper.

20 June 2013

Rock tops Diamond contenders
Opportunity knocks for Green Door
Pretending has to be real stayer
Stack hopes are alive and kicking
Rock ready to roll
Estimate takes Gold test
Happy ending for Annecdote
Doyle hits treble top on Rizeena
Doyle fits the bill in Hunt Cup
Kazeem crowned Prince of Ascot
Cambridge Dun and dusted

19 June 2013

Godolphin swoop for Libertarian
Toronado pointed towards Goodwood
O'Brien keeps faith in Camelot
Perfect Ten in Jersey
Plenty of rain needed for Approval
Banoffee pencilled in for Haydock
Classic rematch in Coronation
Guest has excellent chance
Brittain sweet on Rizeena
Team O'Brien hope for perfect Ten
Chigun aiming for Cambridge glory
Camelot bids for redemption
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
O'Brien sounds War cry

18 June 2013

Stevens is king of the Castle
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot

17 June 2013

Magician set for Palace showdown
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist