Kim Bailey's Trelawne shines on return to land graduation chase with Cotswold Chase among potential aims

Kim Bailey labelled Trelawne as a "grown-up horse" after the mercurial chaser looked a reformed character with a courageous victory in the 2m5½f graduation chase.

Trelawne has tested Bailey's patience to the extreme in a frustrating career but there was no sign of his wayward nature as he knuckled down to fend off Iroko by half a length under Tom Bellamy.

The trainer said: "I'm delighted with him. We've had our issues but he's a very talented individual. He was a grown-up horse today.

"Quirky horses make a big difference to you. We had to get inside his head and those are the sort of horses you love."

Trelawne's effort was all the more laudable as he was having his first start since taking a heavy fall at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

"That fall frightened him and he was very sore afterwards, and we gave him a lot of time to get over it," said Bailey. "He's come back this summer a different horse, he's worked well and done everything right.

"There's a big race in him somewhere down the line and something like the Cotswold Chase will suit him really well, if they have soft ground."

Bailey made Bellamy his stable jockey this season and the trainer added: "Tom is now retained by me and it's started off very well. I miss David Bass enormously but he made his decision and it opened it up for Tom."

Shoot First hits target

Irish jockey Alex Harvey celebrated the biggest success of his career when Shoot First caused a 22-1 upset in the £100,000 Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle.

The 21-year-old is based with John McConnell and in the final year of studying business at university, but he rode the shock winner for Charles Byrnes, who nursed the eight-year-old back this season following a 735-day absence.

"It was a great training performance by Charles as he came on from the last day following a two-year break," said Harvey.

"He's still a big raw baby, so he's going to be even better stepping up in grade. He's an exciting horse."

Novice to note

The young talent at the disposal of Jonjo and AJ O'Neill in their first season with a joint-licence seems to get stronger by the day after Roadlesstravelled became the latest to advertise his exciting potential in the Grade 2 Newton Novices' Hurdle.

Roadlesstravelled stretches his unbeaten record to threeCredit: John Grossick

The 7-4 favourite was getting the better of a prolonged duel with Country Mile when a mistake at the last by the runner-up sealed his fate.

Roadlesstravelled, who earned a first show quote of 40-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle by Betfair Sportsbook, raced on the best ground in the opening contest and is likely to be kept away from deep winter conditions.

Jonjo O'Neill said: "He's in great form and likes the good ground. We'll let him do the talking but he's a nice horse.

"He jumped okay but he'll be slicker on good ground. I think he'll get further but he's doing all right at two miles, so we'll leave him there for now."

Johnston shines again

The new link-up between owner Dai Walters and conditional Dylan Johnston got off to a flying start in last month's Welsh Champion Hurdle and the pair combined for another valuable success with Steel Ally in the £50,000 2m3f handicap hurdle.

Steel Ally, who finished second behind Sam Thomas-trained stablemate Lump Sum as Walters enjoyed a one-two at Ffos Las, defied a career-high mark with a resolute victory from the front.

"I was swearing with all the rain falling, but he dug in and did it well," said Johnston. "He's a nice horse and we'll see the best of him on nicer ground."

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