'The Diamond Jubilee is the dream' - Ed Walker has big plans for Starman

Exciting sprinter Starman, who won the first three races of his life last year to earn a crack at Group 1 rivals, is set to start his campaign in the Duke of York Clipper Logistic Stakes at the Dante meeting on May 12 before attention turns to Royal Ascot.

The son of Dutch Art won his maiden at Lingfield before landing another victory in a Doncaster novice, followed by a slick success at Listed level at York in September.

That persuaded connections to aim for the British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot, but David Ward's homebred found the soft ground against him, finishing 14th of 16.

Watch Starman impress at York last season

Nevertheless, trainer Ed Walker has lost no faith in his sprinter and said: "The plan with Starman is to go straight to the Duke of York. I didn't fancy going to Newmarket for the Abernant as he is a big powerful horse who is not really made for the undulations there.

"He wants top of the ground and on that heavy ground at Ascot his wheels were just spinning, so you could put a line through that as he didn't cope with conditions.

Ed Walker: set for an exciting campaign with StarmanCredit: Laura Green

"He hadn't done anything wrong in his previous three starts; it was simply a case of just not going on that ground at Ascot last time."

The Lambourn-based Walker added: "We'll start off in the Duke of York, then the dream would be to go on to the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot and all those other big six-furlong sprints.

"He's an impressive-looking horse and is training well but we haven't pushed any buttons yet. We might take him away for a racecourse gallop before the Duke of York."

Lambourn has a decent recent record in the Duke of York, which is worth £100,000, winning it in 2016 with the Charlie Hills-trained Magical Memory and two years later with Harry Angel, the Clive Cox star who was the world's highest-rated sprinter at the time.

More to read:

Huge promise and excitement for David Ward after Starman sparkles at York

History maker Doyle lands first Group 1 in thrilling Champions Sprint Stakes

Harry Angel: a sprint sensation who was up there with the best when on song

Cheveley Park Stud makes 'fair and necessary' reductions to 2021 fees

Hopes of 'near-normal racedays' as Epsom and York prepare to welcome back crowds

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