Owen Burrows aiming high with Magnolia scorer Gethin

Gethin teed up a potential step up to Group One company with a stylish return to action in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Magnolia Stakes at Kempton.

Viewed by trainer Owen Burrows as a potential Derby contender this time last year, a setback ruled him out of the Classic and he did not return until September.

With another winter on his back he has developed into a serious specimen and the Ghaiyyath colt had little trouble in landing this Listed prize under Callum Rodriguez, beating Devil’s Advocate by three and a quarter lengths as the 7-4 favourite.

“He’s still a work in progress, Callum said he gave him a hard enough time today and he gave me a hard enough time putting the saddle on,” Burrows told Racing TV.

“That’s him, there’s no nastiness, he’s quite boisterous and with racing he will grow up.

“I’ve had a great run with him and we’ve had a nice uninterrupted prep but when we weighed him yesterday there’s still a little bit to work on.

“Before the race I’d have thought we’d have been going up in trip but looking at that and Callum said he felt really comfortable there (10 furlongs) so we might not be in such a rush.”

Considering plans for Gethin’s next outing, the trainer added: “He’s in the Prix Ganay but that looks as strong a Ganay as there has been for years, so we’ll have a chat with the owners and make a plan.

“I’ve never made any secret of the fact I think the world of him so I’d like to think we’ll be going into Group Ones at some stage, whether it’s his next run, we’ll see.”

Burrows also had mixed news regarding his two classy fillies from last year, Touleen and Calendar Girl.

He said: “Touleen is in real good form and she may run in a (Guineas) trial, we’ll look at Newbury (Fred Darling Stakes).

“Unfortunately Calendar Girl I’m just not happy with, she’s scoping dirty and I can’t seem to get her clean so she’ll just be turned out all April and we’ll start again in May – she won’t be making any Guineas.”