In-Form Starspangledbanner Enjoys Successful Saturday

Noble Anthem (3c Starspangledbanner - Queen Margherita, by Montjeu) produced a professional performance on his second start to take Saturday’s mile Novice Stakes at Thirsk.

Archie Watson’s charge showed signs of inexperience in last month’s Wood Ditton Stakes, but was well-supported in the market to produce an improved effort under Paul Mulrennan. Racing prominently, he was ridden approaching the final furlong and ran on well to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Owned by Hambleton Racing, the Newsells Park Stud-bred bay added to a successful Saturday for Starspangledbanner, who also sired a double at Naas.

Drombeg Banner (3g Starspangledbanner - Drombeg Dawn, by Orpen) made it two from two this season when prevailing in a thrilling finish to the six furlong premier handicap.

Successful over the minimum trip as a two-year-old, the Ken Condon-trained bay made a winning return last month and defied a ten pound penalty when following up at Naas. There should be more to come from the McAuliffe family’s homebred, according to their trainer, “He's a progressive three-year-old sprinter that's going to make into a stakes horse.”

The Edward Lynam bred and trained Rough Diamond (5g Starspangledbanner - Good To Follow, by Kyllachy) took the previous race on the card in good style under Shane Crosse.

A debut winner at the Curragh as a three-year-old, the Trevor Dalzell-owned bay is closely related to prolific winner Tide Of Time (Choisir).