Valiant effort by Romeo
Valiant Romeo defied a 7lb penalty to romp away with the opening race at Newmarket today.
Mick Channon’s youngster made virtually all the running in the hands of Dean Corby, stretching clear inside the final furlong of the Cowlinge Nursery to score by two and a half lengths from Tender with Melrose Place three-quarters of a length away in third.
The 11-2 winner clearly relished the fast conditions and was following up a recent success gained on a similar surface at Chepstow.
Favola, the 9-2 favourite could never get in a blow to the leaders.
Valiant Romeo’s victory came as a boost for the Channon team ahead of Zafeen’s bid for the Group One Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes later in the afternoon.
