Newmarket handler, Jeremy Noseda, appears to have a potentially smart performer on his hands, in the shape of Valbchek. The horse maintained his unbeaten record in making it two from two in running out an impressive winner of the valuable £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Sprint, on the opening day of the Craven meeting at Newmarket, writes Elliot Slater.

Noseda has always held the imposing son of Acclamation in some regard, and it’s easy to see why, after he swept through to beat Swiss Spirit by half-a-length in the manner of a horse who looks destined to go on to bigger and better things.

Winner of a six-furlong maiden on the Polytrack at Lingfield on his racecourse bow at the Surrey track, in late-March, Valbchek was sent off the 4/11 favourite in the betting odds for his initial outing, suggesting that the word had well truly got out about his latent ability.

Despite taking a keen hold and running green, Valbchek went on to score easily, and came to Newmarket as a solidly backed 100/30 joint-favourite for the 15-runner contest that carried impressive prize money.

Settled in midfield by Ryan Moore, he began to make his move running downhill past the bushes and, though the response was not immediate, when he hit the rising ground at the furlong pole, Noseda’s charge really lengthened well. He came away with Swiss Spirit from the remainder of the field to win with a little bit in hand.

Noseda had been keen to step up to seven furlong for Valbchek’s next outing, but Moore was insistent that six furlongs is the perfect trip for the 110,000 guineas yearling, so a bid for the listed Carnavon Stakes at Newbury, next month, could be next on the agenda.

Next, thoughts will surely turn to an appropriate contest at Royal Ascot, in June, if all goes well in the Newbury contest.