Gethin enters Derby equation with impressive Newbury strike

Gethin inserted himself into the Betfred Derby conversation with a flawless performance at Newbury on Friday.

A winner on testing ground when impressing at Nottingham on debut, Owen Burrows’ 7-2 chance proved equally adept on good going in the Darley EBF Novice Stakes, as he sauntered to a three-and-a-half-length win over Roger Varian’s Saddadd.

“He’s a horse we’ve always liked and he won well on debut as a two-year-old and that was pretty impressive today,” said Burrows.

“I thought it was very safe, fast ground and I think they’ve done a great job. It was different conditions to Nottingham and until they’ve gone and done it, you’ve always got the question in the back of your mind. But to be honest I was always confident he would handle it.

“He’s a big, raw baby as such and he needed his run today to get the fizz out of him. He was a bit of a boy before the race and I would like to think he will take a nice step forward from that.”

Gethin was cut to 20-1 from 50s by Paddy Power for Epsom, but before the blue riband can firmly enter the equation, the son of Ghaiyyath will put his Classic aspirations to the test at either Chester or York in the coming weeks.

Burrows continued: “This had been the plan for a while as he would only have a 4lb penalty and timing-wise it would give us a chance if we thought Chester was on the cards and he’s also in the Dante.

“He will run in a trial next, definitely. We will see how he comes out of this and make a plan and now we know that if it does suddenly start raining – because it has got to at some stage – it doesn’t overly bother us what the ground is like.”

Callum Rodriguez was in the saddle aboard Gethin, just as he was at Nottingham on debut, and Burrows admitted he would love to call on the services of the northern-based rider more often after his effort aboard the exciting three-year-old.

“Callum rode him last year and he rode me another winner at Haydock last year and I think he’s a seriously good jockey,” he said.

“He’s been down a few times this spring and I know he’s got his commitments with Ed (Bethell), but he’s a guy I certainly wouldn’t mind using a bit more when he’s available.”

On a day which has often provided plenty of clues for the future, Frankel filly Consecrated (3-1 favourite) created a taking impression on debut for William Haggas and owners Cheveley Park Stud when winning the Bridget “Confined” Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Andrew Balding was also on the scoresheet with Serenity Prayer in the Dreweatts Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The 2-1 joint-favourite is out of a Group Three-winning sister to 1000 Guineas and Oaks heroine Love and looked to have a bright future when striking readily in the hands of Oisin Murphy.