Exoplanet out of this world at Newbury

Roger Varian’s fine form continued when Exoplanet made a winning debut at Newbury in the hands of David Egan.

The duo combined to win the St Leger less than a week ago and Egan did everything right once again aboard the 260,000 guineas son of Sea The Stars.

Sent off the well-backed 5-2 favourite for the Racing TV EBF Novice Stakes (Division One), his stamina reserves came to the fore in the closing stages as he kept on strongly and had too much for runner-up Bussento.

The victory was much more comfortable than the winning margin would suggest and there is likely more to come from this smart Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned colt who holds an entry in next year’s Derby.

“He’s lovely. The plan was always to come here and get him started,” said Varian.

“He’s a nice horse that has looked the part at home, especially in the past couple of weeks when the recent rain helped us get him onto the grass.

“He’s strengthened into his frame over the last two or three weeks and I thought David gave him a lovely ride. He moved through the race nicely and finished well under pressure.

“He could be put away now, but we will see.”

In Division Two it was John and Thady Gosden’s Afterlife who showed huge improvement to get off the mark at the third attempt at odds of 13-2.

“He’s improved since his first run and has shown a good attitude winning with plenty of running left in him,” said Thady Gosden.

Saeed bin Surroor’s Marching Army (22-1) led home a Godolphin 1-2-3 in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap, with the Charlie Appleby-trained pair of Ottoman Fleet (second) and the 5-2 favourite Warren Point filling the placings.

“He’s an improving horse, but not the best of workers in the morning. That’s the reason for the visor which made a big difference,” said the winning trainer.

“Sometimes he’s unsound, but he’s started to do something and has developed into a big, strong horse.

“I think we should stick at a mile and a quarter and head for a Listed race next.”