'He's got a bit of zip' - James Doyle impressed by Silent Speech's speed

Thursday: Wolverhampton

Silent Speech joined the growing list of exciting two-year-olds trained by Charlie Appleby when taking the seven-furlong maiden.

The Godolphin homebred is a half-brother to their Group 1 winning juvenile Ultra and made his experience count, having been a neck second on debut to Filistine at Newmarket last month.

Jockey James Doyle told Sky Sports Racing: “He had the experience going into today and was very straightforward. He bounced [out the stalls] nicely and I got a nice lead.

“It will be interesting to see which way we go with him trip-wise because he’s got a bit of zip and the sharp seven furlongs around here suited him. He travelled nicely and showed a nice kick.”

Appleby has famously used the West Midlands track to launch the careers of subsequent Group 1 winners Cross Counter and champion two-year-old Pinatubo.

In the same race, joint trainers William Muir and Chris Grassick gave a debut to Stockpyle, a half-brother to stable star Pyledriver, and he shaped with plenty of promise, keeping on for an eyecatching second.

Doyle at the double

Half an hour later Doyle completed a double on the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Saleymm in the 1m½f handicap. The three-year-old made light work of his rivals, bolting up by nearly five lengths.

Doyle said: “He’s a gorgeous type and the penny is really starting to drop now. It’s nice to see him back up what he’s been showing us at home.”

The jockey is operating at an impressive 40 per cent strike-rate with six winners from 15 rides in the last fortnight.

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