Darrow shaped really well on his all-weather debut and at 7/1 is strongly fancied to open his account in the 5.30 at Lingfield today.
He was beaten just 1 1/2 lengths into third by Tiger’s Tail over a mile at Kempton having travelled the best for much of the race and looked the likely winner until being unable to find any extra inside the last furlong.
The drop back to 7f this afternoon looks ideal, and he gets into this contest off the same mark of 68.
That gives him a great chance from a handicapping perspective, as he is due to go up 2lb and went into my notebook as one to follow on his previous efforts.
Bill Knight’s charge was Well backed on handicap debut on reappearance at Yarmouth over 1m 1f last month and travelled powerfully for much of the race until weakening badly two from home and finishing fifth to Miss Cato.
Although he was eventually beaten a long way that day he was not punished when his chance had gone on ground that looked too soft for him.
The well-bred son of Lawman was well beaten by the classy Entifaadha and Top Offer in hot maidens at Newmarket and Newbury on his first two starts as a juvenile before putting in a much improved and really eye-catching effort on his final outing at Warwick.
After dwelling at the start he moved stylishly into contention to chase the leaders approaching the last before being unable to find any extra and allowed to come home in his own time.
In the end he finished a 7 3/4 length six of 13 to Farraaj, but he was not knocked about and ran far better than the figures suggest.
I am convinced he is potentially much better than his current mark, and this looks a good opportunity for him to break his duck.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Darrow (7/1 bet365, Betfred – BOG)
