RICHARD Hannon introduced a smart two-year-old at Newbury last Thursday evening when Boitron won the Mirage Signs Novice Auction Stakes in impressive fashion.

The 6/1 shot was last away of the eight runners for the six-furlong contest, but once Pat Dobbs had got him into a rhythm Boitron made up good ground, finishing strongly to end more than four lengths clear of 11/10 favourite Fox Coach, ridden by Gerald Mosse.

Hannon was making a quick return to the winner’s enclosure, having earlier saddled Sergio Leone (11/10 fav) in the amateur riders’ handicap.

It was the leading amateur Simon Walker’s 41st winner of his career.

The novice auction stakes was won by Cookupastorm (14/1), who led throughout the six furlongs, finishing a length clear of 6/4fav I’Lletyougonow, ridden by Charles Bishop for local trainer Mick Channon.

Flight of Fantasy was also never headed in the Team Archie Handicap over 10 furlongs with Kieran O’Neill going five lengths clear at one stage, a margin that was reduced to two-and-three-quarter lengths by the line.

The closest finish of the evening came in the Alder Ridge Vineyard Novice Stakes with Al Kherb, ridden by Adam McNamara, holding on by a short head to foil another 33-1 outsider Skill Set (Martin Harley). He went one place better in the Parkway Shopping Newbury Handicap, urging Outofthequestion (11/2) home by a quarter-of-a-length from 33/1 Ochos Rios, ridden by Rossa Ryan.

Nicklaus (5/2jt fav) had finished fourth of eight a week earlier, but his quick return to Newbury paid dividends, winning the Donnington Grove Veterinary Group Handicap over seven furlongs in the hands of Tom Marquand.