Dermot sets standard

UNCLE DERMOT has kicked off the turf season in excellent form and sets the standard in the ROA Owners Jackpot Handicap at Nottingham.

The Brendan Powell-trained six-yearold rounded off the last campaign with a smart all-the-way victory at Yarmouth and although a mid-winter effort on the allweather at Southwell was less inspiring, he appears to have benefited from a break and a return to the grass.

A comeback third at Leicester at the start of this month was perfectly satisfactory and he built on that with another domination of his rivals at Brighton the other day.

Kieren Fallon appears to get a particularly good tune out of the miler, guiding him to three of his four career victories and keeps the ride.

Provided his recent exertions have not taken too much out of him, he looks a good thing to follow up under a penalty.

HORSTED KEYNES has done very little wrong during his relatively short career and is a confident pick in the Riverside Rentals At Horning Handicap at Yarmouth.

The son of Giant’s Causeway has clearly shown plenty to his trainer Roger Varian since day one as he was a heavilybacked favourite for his juvenile debut at Wolverhampton 18 months ago.

Although the money went west, the youngster could hardly have run a more promising race in defeat by a nose.

It was no surprise to see him go one place better at Kempton a couple of weeks later and he appeared to be a really exciting prospect for connections to go to war with as a three-year-old.

Getty Images. Kieren Fallon: takes the ride again on Uncle Dermot.