Moto Rapido Ducati's Scott Smart sliced through the field to take a hard-fought fourth place in Monday's National Superstock 1000 race at Cadwell Park despite qualifying in 15th place.

The Maidstone racer suffered engine difficulties in Sunday's second qualifying session which meant he had to start from row five on the grid - not an easy place to be on a track that is known for making overtaking difficult.

"It wasn't the most ideal of qualifying sessions to be honest but it can happen to anyone and we just made the most of it," said a philosophical Smart, speaking to bikesportnews.com this morning.

"I got a decent start and just had to carve my way through the field as best I could. Cadwell is a very narrow track and there are only a couple of places to get past. I was very happy with my laptimes towards the end of the race, which were as good as John McGuinness, who finished second.

"The bike felt strong and I think with a couple of tweaks we are in good shape to run at the front during the next round at Croft. If I can qualify well, maybe we can do something about Alastair Seeley's winning streak."