Guineas favourite Kingman wins in Sandown

James Doyle made the perfect start to his new role as retained jockey for Prince Khalid Abdullah as the much-vaunted Kingman took the Betfred Mobile Solario Stakes at Sandown.

John Gosden's charge was already favourite for next year's QIPCO 2000 Guineas prior to the Group Three race and was sent off at prohibitive odds to see off his three rivals.

He managed just that, settling in last place through the early stages as Music Theory cut out the early running before making headway on the outside of the field.

The 2/7 market leader was in front passing the two furlong pole and pulled clear under hands and heels riding for a routine success, a third in the race in the last ten years for his trainer.

At the line he had two lengths in hand of Emirates Flyer (10/1) who just got the better of his trailblazing Godolphin team-mate for second.

Doyle said: "I don't think relief is the right word, I'm happy, he was good. I was very pleased with him, he showed a great attitude and has a good stride but it was a bit of a messy race as we didn't go fast at all and I was almost breaking his stride early on so I let him lengthen in the straight.

"He showed me all the credentials to be a top performer. He hasn't got much racing experience and it was only his second run, but even if they did go slow it wasn't a worry as he has such a good turn of foot.

"He's got a great temperament, he was very relaxed and did all the right things early."

Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said in John Gosden's absence: "When he was asked to quicken he quickened really nicely and that's the most important thing. Today was part of his long education.

"James was very happy. I think from everybody's point of view we have to be very pleased. We have to aim a bit higher now, and that would include the Jean-Luc Lagardere or the Dewhurst I would think.

"John has him in the Racing Post Trophy, but I would think the Dewhurst would be the main option. I would think a mile, mile and a quarter would be the limit of him next year."

Sky Bet cut the winner to 5/1 for next year's Classic at Newmarket and spokesman Michael Shinners said: "Kingman continues to look to be a colt right out of the top drawer. He made short work of two decent yardsticks here and it will take a good horse to beat him in his major autumn target and in the Guineas next spring."