Irish horse Invictus was a comfortable winner of the Sodex Prestige Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot on Saturday.
Alan King's charge well and truly purged the memory of his disappointing outing at Cheltenham on New Year's Day in the Dipper Novices' Chase.
Invictus hit for home at the second last after shadowing pacesetter Alfie Spinner for much of the race.
Pre-race fabourite Silviniaco Conti faded in the closing stages, while an error from Bobs Worth two fences out left him with too much to do as Invictus stayed on well to win by three lengths.
The six-year-old had looked a natural over fences after triumphing in his first two starts of the season, but looked less than comfortable when third behind Champion Court on New Year’s Day. However, it later transpired that he had twisted a shoe during the race.
His victory at Ascot has seen his price for next month’s RSA Chase at Cheltenham more halved to 10-1.