Sparkling return from Daryz

Last year's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz made a sparkling return to action when trouncing his four opponents by upwards of three and a half lengths in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp on Sunday. Champion trainer Frnacois Graffard had indicated beforehand that the four year old's first main target is the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and he was expected to improve for his reappearance. If that proves the case, then the son of Sea The Stars will be mighty hard to beat in June. Mickael Barzalona's mount travelled powerfully on the outside with his jockey keen to keep main rival Aventure locked in on the far rail before releasing a spectacular turn of foot inside the final furlong. Winning hard held, Daryz will take some stopping this year with a return to Longchamp in early October very much on his agenda. 

See The Fire finished third behind Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales Stakes last summer and there must be every chance Andrew Balding's mare will be steered towards the same event in June. The five year old also made a successful start to her campaign with a cosy win in the Listed Nottinghamshire Oaks. Partnered by Rob Hornby, she quickened up to lead a long way out before dossing in front close home. The winning margin flattered the runner-up. Given a more patient ride, she would have won by much further. Expect her to return to York next month for the Group 2 Middleton Stakes, which she won by a dozen lengths in 2025.

William Haggas' team have yet to hit their straps but the Somerville Lodge inmates are beginning to go through the gears with three winners from their last five runners. They included a short price double at Wetherby on Sunday courtesy of Princling and Sea The Storm in the eight and ten furlongs novice stakes. The latter will be given a mark shortly and could be ideal for something like the London Gold Cup at Newbury (16th May). The step up to a mile and a quarter shouldn't be an issue on pedigree. Pierian ran very well on her debut chasing home her stablemate Sea The Storm in the ten furlongs novice stakes. Given a patient and sympathetic ride, she stayed on well being denied by a neck. William doesn't allow his debutants to be hit on their debuts and that kindness will be rewarded in future. 

Ed Walker has been an excellent addition to the Talking Trainers section in Ahead On The Flat and the Lambourn based handler was amongst the winners at the West Yorkshire track. They included Secret History who scored on her handicap debut off a mark of 77. The daughter of Ardad has been inclined to race keenly hence she was fitted with a hood in the seven furlongs fillies' handicap. Held up by Kieran Shoemark, she came with a sustained run on the outside before leading inside the final furlong. A half length winner, she is bred to stay a mile but will need to continue to relax in her races if she is going to fulfil her undoubted potential.

We still have a few copies of Ahead on The Flat in stock. Please head to the Publications section of the site to order a copy, plus the Updates. The three day Guineas Festival at Newmarket gets underway on Friday and the featured horses in AOTF are expected to be well represented on the Rowley Mile.