Darnation stamped her authority when making it back-to-back Group wins with an authoritative display in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster this afternoon.
Just a few days after Fallen Angel claimed the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, it would seem Karl Burke has yet another exciting juvenile filly on his hands after Darnation dazzled spectators on the Town Moor in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes.
With an official rating of 102, Darnation clearly set the standard on the back of her success in the Group 3 Prestige Fillies' Stakes at Goodwood last month and was sent off the 11/10 favourite to record a first Group 2 victory.
Having travelled kindly throughout under jockey Clifford Lee, the daughter of Too Darn Hot soon found herself in front with a furlong and a half to run and she produced a smart turn of foot to quickly take a few lengths out of her rivals. See The Fire (4/1) emerged as the sole danger as she began to hunt Darnation down but despite Karl Burke's filly rolling around out in front, she never really looked like getting on terms and was three lengths adrift crossing the line.
Les Bleus (14/1) finished a further four lengths back in third.
"She tries hard and loves these conditions," winning rider Clifford Lee told ITV Racing.
"It was obviously the first time over the mile, but she's seen the trip out very well. She's done everything right.
"I think that was more greenness than anything [her rolling around out in front] and it just felt like she pricked her ears a bit and had a little run-around, but she was always doing enough towards the line.
"I mean look that was a mile there and I'd definitely go for the Guineas [1000] and you wouldn't want to be writing her off. Hopefully, she'll strengthen out a little bit, so she'll be a bit stronger for next year."
Burke, who landed the prize in 2017 courtesy of multiple Group 1 winner Laurens, was not at the track but said: "She's a classy filly, on that ground she's very good. We'll have to see how she is on quicker ground but she's tough, she stays and she's just very good.
"She's not in the Fillies' Mile but she is in the Prix Marcel Boussac. I haven't spoken to the owners, but she'd be more likely to get her ground in France.
"Who knows about next year? She's not the biggest in the world, but she should strengthen up even if she doesn't grow much and if she bumps into soft ground, she could be anything.
"On fast ground Fallen Angel would be in front of her, but ground is the key to this filly.
"I was all set to come today but I had a busy morning and decided not to. They don't run any faster for me being there!"
Paddy Power introduced Darnation at 20/1 for the Epsom Oaks next year.
