Dashing Darcey's eye-catching success at Haydock Park ensures his entry for the Britannia Stakes Heritage Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Dashing Darcey shaped incredibly well and took another step forward when making his victory look comfortable at Haydock Park, under a great ride from Silvestre De Sousa, for the Roger Varian team.  Earning a Timeform rating of 100 in the process!

He showed a fantastic attitude to power clear of his rivals and as a horse that is unexposed at a mile, he looks an exciting prospect that will continue to improve throughout the season.

The BHA have subsequently raised his mark by 6lbs to 92, with this in mind he should comfortably make the field for the Britannia Stakes Heritage Handicap, at Royal Ascot, on Thursday 20th June.

Roger Varian said "we were delighted to see him return to the winners enclosure.  A much deserved success, after being admirably consistent.  He possesses a terrific attitude and still looks very progressive.

Time Form
Race Review

Time: 103.72s Closing Sectional: (3.00f): 37.80s


DASHING DARCEY had been shaping up well and took a nice step forward to gain a first win in handicap company, helped by getting plenty of cover from the headwind and having a good gallop to aim at, but doing this in taking fashion all the same; held up, travelled strongly, good headway over 1f out, quickened to lead entering final 1f, went clear, won readily; he's unexposed as a miler and there should be more races in him.


A headwind in the straight coupled with a sound gallop played into the hands of the held-up winner in this 3-y-o handicap, but he was quite impressive all the same and is worth crediting with a fair bit of progression, Cerulean Bay better than the bare result further back.