Bookmakers took a knife to their Classic odds yesterday as Daggers Drawn lived up to all the hype heaped on his shoulders. He was slashed to an unattractive 5 to 1 by the Tote for next year's English 2,000 Guineas after producing a scintillating turn of foot to cut down his rivals in Goodwood's Salomon Brothers Richmond Stakes.
Even though the Newmarket Classic is still nine months away the best price available on the Henry Cecil-trained colt is the 7 to 1 offered by Ladbrokes and William Hill.
Kieren Fallon has been dogged by controversy this month and he looked set for more trouble as 8 to 13 shot Daggers Drawn found himself trapped behind a wall of horses in the Group Two contest.
Fortunately a gap presented itself with a furlong to travel and Daggers Drawn quickened through in great style to defeat Lord Kintyre by one and a half lengths.
Fallon said: "I thought I was going to have a nightmare journey for a while but it came good in the end. He doesn't look as impressive as he feels but I think he is something special and will only get better.
"I could not fault him and the Guineas is a long way away but there's nothing I'm looking forward to more."
Daggers Drawn carries the colours of the Cliveden Stud which has not enjoyed Classic success since Reference Point won the 1987 Derby and St Leger.
Philip Freedman, the stud's manager, said: "It was very hard watching the race. But it's not as bad watching Daggers Drawn as it was Reference Point. You knew with Reference Point that if he wasn't in front then your chance was gone, this horse comes from the back so there is always hope."
Daggers Drawn is now likely to tackle the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster followed by the Middle Park Stakes.
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