Marshman followed up his recent AWC Trials Day victory with a decisive success in the Listed BetUK Kachy Stakes at Lingfield Park.
Karl Burke’s five-year-old kicked clear over a furlong out and never looked like being caught as eventual runner-up Mitbaahy closed from the rear, with a length and a quarter separating the duo at the line. Annaf and Diligent Harry, who have dominated the race for the last two years, filled the minor places.
A G3 scorer in 2023, Marshman is now unbeaten in two starts since returning from wind surgery and a gelding operation.
Winning jockey Clifford Lee said: “There were a few question marks for Marshman regarding the track as it is a sharper six furlongs here. I thought a quicker gallop would suit, although with there being only five runners, I was concerned it might be a bit trappy.
“He has been gelded and I think the wind operation has definitely improved him, as now he feels like he can breathe a bit better in his races.
“There is a long season ahead and there will be plenty of races for him. I would imagine he will go into a Group Three at some point. He has beaten some good horses today and I will be looking forward to him next time.”
Champagne Prince looks a leading player for Southwell’s G3 BetUK Winter Derby judged on his victory over the course and distance in the BetUK Winter Derby Trial.
Having beaten Eydon in a Listed race at Kempton Park in December, Champagne Prince impressed as he brushed aside the same rival by almost three lengths.
Jane Chapple-Hyam’s runner has now won five of his six starts on the all-weather, with his official rating climbing to a career-high 107.
Winning jockey Daniel Muscutt said: “That was a good performance from a classy horse. It was a rematch from Kempton with Eydon. We were really suited by the slick surface here as Champagne Prince has a lot of gears for a mile-and-a-half horse.
“Champagne Prince jumped so well from the stalls, I was happy to let him stride on as he did at Kempton. He is an uncomplicated horse with a good cruising speed. He skips over the ground very economically. He has class as well, which is the main thing.
“He has improved a lot on the back of an already nice profile. Classy middle-distance horses need gears to play with and he has that. Jane has done a good job with him and he is an exciting prospect going forward.”
Champagne Prince’s lightly raced stable-mate Trouble Man may have Three-Year-Old Championship aspirations after scoring on his handicap debut at Kempton Park, earning a 6lb rise to 83.
Elsewhere, Smart Hero looks a candidate for the Middle Distance category after taking an extended nine-furlong handicap in fine style at Wolverhampton. Now two from two for James Tate since stepping up in trip, the handicapper has given him a 9lb hike to 94.
Wolverhampton also witnessed a promising performance from Destructive, who followed up an impressive maiden success at the track by making all in an extended mile handicap. Michael Bell’s runner has been raised 6lb to 91.
History may repeat itself after Charlie Appleby unleashed eight-and-a-half-length winner Opera Ballo in a mile novice at Kempton Park, a race the trainer has won previously with subsequent G1 scorers Measured Time and Notable Speech.