Starspangledbanner Colt Lands Maiden In Good Style

A drop down in trip saw Zayer (2c Starspangledbanner – Looks A Million, by Kyllachy) gain a deserved success at Ripon on Tuesday afternoon.

Archie Watson’s charge finished second on his first two starts, including in a smart Haydock maiden where the third horse subsequently landed a valuable race at York. The Starspangledbanner colt was sent off favourite to go one better in the five furlong maiden and made all of the running under Hollie Doyle. Ridden from two furlongs out, the bay drew clear inside the final 110 yards and went on to score by two lengths and three quarters, with another five and a half lengths back to the third horse.

Zayer’s commanding victory may have earned him a step up in class, and the E A Al Afoo-owned colt holds an entry in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes.