Darley gets plum ride on Seeker

New Seeker will have a new pilot in the shape of Kevin Darley when he makes his seasonal reappearance in the Stanleybet Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday week.

Clive Cox has used a number of top jockeys for his stable star, who has been well-backed ante-post, but was swayed by the 44-year-old’s considerable experience at the South Yorkshire venue.

New Seeker was most progressive as a three-year-old in 2003, culminating in victory in the International Stakes at Ascot, but was a shade disappointing last term and has subsequently been gelded.

“Kevin Darley has been booked, he has not ridden him before, but he knows his way around Doncaster better than anyone,” said Cox.

“He was gelded last year and is in very good form. I hope that gelding him will help him to recover the form that he showed as a three-year-old. He is lighter than he was but I am very happy with him – he is a very good horse.”

The Lambourn-based handler also has Thyolo entered this weekend in Kempton’s Coral Rosebery Stakes, although there are doubts about his participation at the moment.

“He is in on Saturday but it is dependant on the ground,” said Cox. If there is any significant rain at Kempton, he will not run.”

Currently 14-1 with Ladbrokes, Thyolo boasted decent juvenile form and put in a few good runs last term, including third in the Britannia Stakes, without getting his head in front.

Cox continued: “He has wintered very well but he is rated 96, and there was nowhere for him to hide last season. I think he is a really nice horse, and if he goes there, he would have a really good chance.”