News Magnificent British debut from Seven Kingdoms at Kempton

Magnificent British debut from Seven Kingdoms at Kempton

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David Dennis appears to have a potential star on his hands in the form of Seven Kingdoms, who made an eyecatching British debut in the William Hill In The App Store Juvenile Hurdle at a rain-washed Kempton.

Last seen in Listed company on the Flat at Clairefontaine in August, he was snapped up for 45,000 guineas in October and may soon make that price tag look a bargain.

Though just five went to post for the two-mile event, Noel Fehily's mount could not have beaten his rivals any more easily. He settled well in fourth as Directional cut out the pedestrian early pace in the hands of Tom Cannon, but Tim Vaughan's runner came under pressure turning for home, as did the 6-4 favourite Golden Gate Bridge.

Fehily's mount was running all over them and moved to the front on the bridle approaching two out, and the 5-2 shot was not hard pressed to win by 17 lengths from Golden Gate Bridge. He was immediately installed at 20-1 for the Triumph Hurdle by Paddy Power, with William Hill offering 25-1.

But the Hanley Swan-based trainer feels that Grade One company may have to wait.

Dennis warned: "We were a little bit concerned by how testing the ground was, but he has done it well. Noel says he was a little bit green and jumped novicey, but that was promising.

"I think the Triumph might be flying a bit high. I would not be in any rush to see him in a race of that calibre. It is whether his frame, his physique, will stick it this year. I'd be a little bit concerned.

"He has strengthened up a bit, since we have had him and he's still got a lot of strengthening up to do. We gave him a month when we had him and he needed every day of that month. He needs a summer, really."