Fast start could be a signal of great things to come

The season could hardly have begun better for Richard Hannon, whose treble on Lincoln day at Doncaster seemed to be a loud statement of intent. As ever, the truth was rather less straightforward, but there’s no doubting that the Herridge yard is in form and in a familiar mood of optimism.

"I didn't go to Doncaster fancying our horses and to be honest I'd have been pleased if they'd been placed," confesses the trainer, "but they're running very well and we'll take that.

"The weather has been kind to us down here and we haven't really had a frost to speak of, so we're quite forward, and the two-year-olds look a nice bunch to be getting on with.