COMFORTABLE WIN FOR DUMFRIES

Dumfries provided the first winner of the year for Marcus Tregoning on Thursday with a comfortable success in a mile maiden at Southwell in the colours of Whitsbury II.

An attractive colt by Cityscape he showed clear promise as a juvenile in three starts during the second half of last season and built on that with a pleasing first triumph on his return to action ridden by Hayley Turner.

Handy throughout, he was always travelling well in touch behind the leaders, eased to the front inside the final furlong and readily pulled clear to secure the £10,152 first prize by two and a half lengths from Trip To Rome.

Dumfries was rated 74 ahead of his seasonal debut and is likely to be raised a few pounds when the handicapper has his say.

But the style of his success suggested there will surely be more to come from him as he gains experience.