66-1 strike: Tom Marquand produces Shatha to shock at Kempton

She may have been a sleeper in the market but Shatha came alive for her racecourse debut at Kempton by running out a shock 66-1 winner of the 1m2f fillies' novice for Charlie Hills and Tom Marquand.

One of the key factors in Shatha going off at such a big price was the fact that Sun Bear, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Detorri, dominated the market and was sent off as the 8-13 favourite.

However, favourite backers never got a run for their money as Sun Bear was beaten over 10 lengths behind the Shatha, who took command over a furlong out before hanging on grimly from the fast-finishing Lightness.

A delighted, if not a little surprised Marquand said after the victory: "This probably wasn't the winner I was thinking I might have today judging by my rides but I'm always delighted to ride winners for such prestigious owners and trainers."

He added: "I've not had the chance to see her before but she's a nice, big, strong filly and clearly she's pretty decent. A galloping mile and a quarter rather than this tight one is probably going to suit her better. She's still relatively green but she's scopey and going to do well going forward."

Ruler Of The World, Arrogate and Sea Of Class are just a handful of top-notchers who didn't make their debuts until their three-year-old campaign and Paddy Power make Shatha just a 33-1 chance to win the Oaks this season.

Michael Bell: has a smart two-year-old on his handsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Aptly named The Lir Jet has the Bells dreaming of Royal Ascot glory

Prince Of Lir was pretty quick as a racehorse, with his finest hour coming in the 2016 Norfolk Stakes, and the first season sire appears to have passed that speed on to his progeny on the evidence of The Lir Jet's taking debut victory over 5f at Yarmouth.

Trained by Michael Bell and owned by his son Nick, The Lir Jet proved to be aptly named as he travelled powerfully throughout and, when asked to pick up by Silvestre De Sousa, drew clear to leave connections dreaming of Royal Ascot.

Paddy Power introduced The Lir Jet as a 16-1 chance to emulate his sire by winning the Norfolk Stakes, for which the race is understood to be the target, although the owner suggested he would be sporting a different set of silks by then.

Confirming The Lir Jet is on the market, Bell said: "I think he'd look better running in someone else's silks..."

De Sousa didn't say anything that would dissuade potential investors either. The winning rider said: "Mr [Michael] Bell was pretty confident about his chances today. They think he's a nice horse and after that I think he's a nice horse as well!"

John Gosden: sent out Celestran to take the opener at YarmouthCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gosden continues hot form with treble as Nazeef wins Snowdrop Stakes

On the third day of racing’s return in Britain, it was fitting for champion trainer John Gosden to send out three winners, including the EBF/Unibet Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes at Kempton with Nazeef.

Allowed to come to the boil gradually by Gosden last year, Nazeef proved too hot for her rivals in tackling Listed company for the first time, forging home late under Jim Crowley to get the better for former 1,000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook to win snugly.

Bigger days await the improving four-year-old, according to her rider Jim Crowley, who believes Nazeef showed plenty of the right qualities to win given she didn;t get the clearest of passages.

Crowley said: "I was always struggling to find a good position and had to sit further back than I wanted to. She got shuffled back on the bend and caught wide, so I think it was a really good performance to win from off the pace on a track that has been suiting those racing handier.”

He added: “I don't think she needs to go further than a mile. She's done nothing but improve with every run and hopefully she will go on improving."

The day couldn’t have started any better for Gosden with Celestran landing the opening 1m2f handicap at Yarmouth, the first race of the British Flat turf season, in good style under Robert Havlin.

Cheveley Park's son of Dansili raced towards the rear but found plenty when asked for an effort from Havlin and stayed on to reward supporters of the 11-4 favourite.

Havlin said: "He didn't mind the ground. He's got an upward head carriage, but that's just him. He goes forward with it even if he looks a bit ungenuine.

"I thought he had the best form coming into the race – his Wolverhampton race has worked out well.”

On the yard's form, Havlin added: "All of the runners will improve from it, we've just been ticking them over for the last two months without pressing any buttons. Hopefully they'll keep on improving."

The treble was completed when Haqeeqy, ridden by Dane O'Neil, landed the second division of the 7f handicap at Yarmouth.

Winners' reactions

Yarmouth 12.45

Robert Havlin, rider of Celestran: "He’s a Dansili so he didn’t mind the ground. He’s got an awkward head carriage but that’s just him. He looks ungenuine but his legs keep going forward and I thought he had the best form coming into this. The plan was to lead and roll along in front but he missed the start. The ground is firm, there’s no getting away from that. I wouldn’t want to be jumping up in trip too quickly with him."

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Yarmouth 1.20

Stevie Donohue, rider of Dubious Affair: "To be fair to Charlie and to Tash, who rides him at home, they were absolutely sure she would stay the trip and they were absolutely right. She was really settled in the race and she knew her job well today and really knuckled down. She proved me wrong as I didn't think she could do that; it was a good staying performance."

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Yarmouth 2.30

Franny Norton, rider of Ginger Max: "Richard said on the way down that he'd always thought this was a nice horse but it looked like he'd got it wrong with that view. The problem is he's been very keen in his races. So we made sure we got him relaxed and down to the start early and in the race he relaxed into a nice rhythm. He had a bit of a think about it when he first put his head in front but to be fair to him that's the first time he's been there. He's a big, raw horse and a big baby, so hopefully he can go on and show to Richard that he wasn't that far off the mark to start off with."

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Yarmouth 3.05

Richard Hughes, trainer of Mister Snowden: "He’s a decent horse. I was a bit concerned coming here with the ground on the quick side, but he’s bred for it and he needs to get used to it if it’s going to be racing through the summer. He was a late maturing two-year-old and still a raw horse. He had the Jersey Stakes pencilled in for him and that’s where he’s likely to go now."

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Yarmouth 3.40

John Gosden, trainer of Haqeeqy: "He's a nice horse and he ran well on his only start last year. He's been going nicely this spring and we've been desperate to get a race into him, so my advice to anyone is if you can get into a race then run. We'll stick to this trip and then take it from there."

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Kempton 1.00

David Probert, rider of Never Dark: "He jumped really well and never saw another rival after that. He's pretty sensible within himself and could go back over six but I'd like to see him running over five furlongs on the grass. The whole family all progressed with age and over the winter he has strengthened, and I would imagine he'll take a big step forward."

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Kempton 1.35

Chris Wall, trainer of Han Solo Berger:"I thought five furlongs around here might be quick enough for him. We saw last year that a stiff five plays to his strengths but he jumped well from the gate and showed plenty of resolution.That will blow the cobwebs away and we can pick and choose where we go back on turf. He's got some very enthusiastic owners [the Berresford family] and they will be disappointed not to be here today, but hopefully when we get round to running him again perhaps owners can come."

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Kempton 2.45

Andrew Balding, trainer of Berlin Tango: "He would need to be supplemented for the Derby and that would be a brave shout. We'll probably look at something at Ascot for him if it does not come too soon and he should have a very good summer because he's a smart horse."

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Kempton 3.20

Andrea Atzeni, rider of Gossiping: "He pinged the lids and I just had to take him back but he was good from there and won cosily. He's been good to me and I've won on him both times I've partnered him now."

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Kempon 4.30

Nicola Currie, rider of Hieronymus: "He's quite a simple ride and it was just a case of going forward and we've got it very easy in front. We thought he'd stay the mile and he showed a good turn of foot from the front. He keeps galloping and saw it out well. It's great to be back."

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