Queen's juvenile made 33-1 for 2023 Derby after 'really impressive' debut win

Thursday: Haydock

William Haggas and Tom Marquand enjoyed a four-timer at Haydock on Thursday and unleashed a smart juvenile prospect in the royal silks in Desert Hero, who earned quotes of 33-1 for the 2023 Derby with Coral following his striking racecourse debut.

Marquand was full of compliments for the son of Sea The Stars after he picked up well from a furlong and a half out to quicken past the 9-4 favourite Captain Winters.

The success came quickly off the back of Soulcombe's win in the 1m3½f handicap, while 7f handicap winner Substantial and 100-30 shot Hamaki completed the 422-1 four-timer.

While the royal silks did not appear in this year's Derby after ante-post fancy Reach For The Moon was ruled out, Desert Hero's pedigree suggests he is made for middle distances next season. His dam is an unraced full sister to Dartmouth, winner of the Hardwicke Stakes over 1m4f for the Queen in 2016.

"That was really impressive," Marquand said of Desert Hero. "He was learning on the way down and on the way around, the penny really dropped two-out.

"He actually surprised me as to how quickly and well he did it – he jumped up into gear pretty quickly. There's plenty to work with for the future."

Soulcombe is another boasting an impressive pedigree, being by the great Frankel and out of Group 1 winner Ribbons. The three-year-old was striking on his handicap debut off a rating of 68 and could have more to offer.

"He's learning his job still," Marquand added. "He was up in trip with the blinkers on and the ground probably suited him as well. It only took one reminder to get him running and once I did that he went to the front pretty smartly. Hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here."

Suspension

Clifford Lee was given a four-day whip ban for his ride on Liamarty Dreams. He finished a short-head second to Skittlebombz in the three-year-old handicap.

Watch the replay of Desert Hero's striking racecourse debut

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