No rush to finalise plans for smart Lead Artist

Lead Artist's connections are eager to move on from the thrilling colt's impressive performance at York last week before deciding on their next course of action.

After being defeated by Charlie Appleby's First Conquest by a nose in his debut in the Wood Ditton at the Craven meeting at Newmarket, the son of Dubawi skillfully broke that record in inexperienced company on the Knavesmire, gaining nearly five lengths on his opponents with First Conquest finishing fourth with an 11-length margin.

The winner, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is entered in the Group One St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but it seems unlikely that he will make such a significant improvement at such an early stage of his career.

Barry Mahon said: “Lead Artist was very impressive, he’s a beautiful colt and has always been a beautiful colt. John and Thady have taken their time with him and we were disappointed to get beat the first day, even though it was the smallest of margins. In another few yards we would probably have got up, but it was probably no harm that he got to have another go at his maiden and we were delighted with him at York. I don’t really have a plan for him at this point in time. I think we’ll give him a week or 10 days, see how he comes out of it and then start thinking about where we’re going to go.”

Mahon added: “It would be a massive step and it would be a conversation to be had, but I think in an ideal world you’d like to be going for an intermediary (race) before going for a race of that calibre. I’m sure John and Thady will come up with something next week.”