Damysus continues forward momentum in Darley Stakes

One-time Derby hope Damysus won the first Group race of his career with an ultimately cosy success in the Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes at Newmarket.

John and Thady Gosden’s Wathan Racing-owned Frankel colt was placed in two Classic trials in the spring and headed to Epsom with many thinking he would be capable of running a big race.

He finished last of 18 there, though, and was given a long break to get over those exertions before returning with a Listed win in France last time out.

Settled in fourth by James Doyle, he gradually made his ground near the centre of the track before edging over to challenge Gladius in the final furlong. Doyle did not have to get too serious for the 2-1 shot to take the Group Three prize by three-quarters of a length.

John Gosden said: “His only blip this year was in the Derby when he kicked the back gate out of the stalls and rather nastily injured his back legs. He had a lot of cuts that needed patching up and he looked like he had done 15 rounds with Joe Frazier.

“So the Derby was a bit of a disaster, but we put him away and he came back to win well at Deauville in the Prix Nureyev and has won nicely again today.

“He’s a grand horse and went over to France last weekend to run in the Prix Dollar, but when it rained it was too soft and all he ended up doing was have a good lunch and nice dinner and then came back on the train.

“He actually missed a piece of work last weekend as all he was doing was eating and drinking in France, but he enjoyed the journey and we whipped back here which was the right thing to do.

“I think he could be a nice horse and I think we could head to Sandown to start him off next season over 10 furlongs in the Gordon Richards, I can see the races for him now and we’ll see if he can come up the ladder.”

He added: “There is the Bahrain International Trophy and the owners might want to go there, but we will see. I wouldn’t be surprised if it came on the radar. He’s a great mind on him and maturing and strengthening all the time and everything is possible.”

Karl Burke’s incredible streak of significant strikes with his juveniles continued with Hankelow in the Group Three Emirates Autumn Stakes.

Burke has been the man to turn to in recent Saturdays and the 5-2 favourite proved another friend of the punters.

Clifford Lee, who has been on board for most of them, sent his mount into an early lead and he fended off all-comers before crossing the line an authoritative length and a quarter winner from Al Zanati, who did well considering how keen he was.

Burke said: “He’s a beautiful horse with a great mind on him as well.

“He’s only going to get better and I think he will be better on a better track and with a bit more juice in the ground.

“It was heads up, heads down at Doncaster (when beaten a nose by Roger Varian’s Avicenna in the Flying Scotsman Stakes), but he was a little stop-start for two or three weeks before that and I think that is what got him beat.

“The step up in trip has suited him well here and he has a fantastic attitude. You only have to watch him in the prelims to see he is a very relaxed horse and I’m delighted.”

He went on: “He’s good and whether he’s quick enough for the Guineas will be the thing or whether we have to step him up in trip. We’ve got plenty of time to think about that and it’s unbelievable to be lucky enough to keep having these nice horses.”