Step Up In Trip Just The Trick For Starspangledbanner Colt

A step up in trip and firmer ground saw Plymouth Rock (2c Starspangledbanner - Welcome Spring, by Lawman) gain his maiden victory at Thirsk on Saturday.

Runner-up last time out, the John Quinn-trained colt was sent off second-favourite under Jason Hart, who rode him to track the leader for much of the seven furlong contest. Producing a challenge with two furlongs left to race, he ran on well to lead inside the final furlong and denied El Naseri by a neck.

A step up in class may now be on the agenda for Plymouth Rock, who holds entries in the National Stakes and Two-Year-Old Trophy. Owned by Tabor, Smith, Magnier and Shanahan, he was a 220,000gns buy at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale by Jamie McCalmont on behalf of MV Magnier.

The son of Starspangledbanner was bred by Peter Jones out of a half-sister to Group 3 winner Flowers Of Spring, from the family of Alamshar.