Gosden calls mega-purchase Darain 'scopier than Too Darn Hot' after debut win

John Gosden gave a favourable endorsement of 3.5 million guineas purchase Darain and compared him to his brother Too Darn Hot after the colt won on his debut at Newbury on Wednesday evening.

Oisin Murphy did not have to use his whip to ensure the world's most expensive yearling in 2018 was able to dismiss seven rivals in a division of the three-year-old novice race over 1m2f.

Champion trainer Gosden said: "Darain put up a professional performance on his debut and is a nice horse going forward.

"He's a scopier type than his brother Too Darn Hot and was always going to stay better than him. It wasn't his fault he hasn't run until now and he's a nice horse to look forward to for the end of this season and next. We'll probably look for a novice race for him next."

Darain had been a big market drifter to 2-1 favourite from 5-4 and, in a race run at a dawdle, he shared the lead on sufferance with Winter Reprise while Murphy waited until early in the straight to find out what he could produce.

The response was not immediate but when Darain got the message he went clear into the final furlong with his rider driving him out hands and heels to beat Godolphin's newcomer Brilliant Light by four and three quarter lengths.

Sky Bet were quick off the mark to offer 16-1 about the colt for the St Leger on September 12 when he would be trying to go one better than his sister Lah Ti Dar, who was runner-up to Kew Gardens two years ago.

Darain did not make the racecourse as a two-year-old last year for his joint owners Qatar Racing and Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber's Watership Down Stud, who bred the son of Dubawi.

Lot 325 now named Darain sells for 3.5m Guineas to David RedversNewmarket 10.10.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerCredit: Edward Whitaker

The wait was worth it as he produced an impressive and professional performance that had Murphy purring.

"I'm pleased with him and I think he has an exciting future so, please god, we will be hearing lots about him," Murphy said.

The champion jockey added: "We didn't go very fast early as they are inexperienced horses. We really got racing from the bottom of the straight and Darain went through the gears well and galloped right through the line."

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