'A huge performance from Starman - and I'm hoping Primo Bacio is the real deal'

Last week’s runners

There's a real buzz in the yard after a great week when Starman and Primo Bacio teed up tilts at Group 1 contests at Royal Ascot with victory at York’s Dante meeting.

It had been an agonising wait to get Starman back on the track and we targeted the Duke of York Stakes only for the rain to arrive with the threat of more to come. Thankfully York’s superb groundstaff, led by William Derby, did a magnificent job with the track. It was beautiful ground but probably soft enough for Starman and he’ll be more comfortable on a faster surface.

It was immensely satisfying to see him get back to winning ways after the disappointment of Ascot at the end of last season as we think and hope he’ll be competitive at the highest level.