Exceed And Excel colt records barnstorming win

Three-year-old Exceed And Excel colt Sidestep, who won the G2 Pago Pago Stakes on the same day 12 months earlier, stormed home from the rear of the field to claim the Listed Darby Munro Stakes over 5 1/2f at Rosehill, March 29.

The top-weight of 59kgs and a heavy track were not enough to dampen Sidestep’s brilliance, the attractive colt proving a class above his rivals.

Also runner-up in the G1 Golden Slipper behind Exceed And Excel filly Overreach last year, Sidestep is a homebred for Darley. He is out of G2 Sandown Guineas-winning Quest For Fame mare Dextrous, making him a three-quarter brother to G1 Champagne Stakes winner and Darley Northwood Park stallion Skilled and G1 performer Ambidexter.

The sire of 81 Stakes winners worldwide, Exceed And Excel has had eight G1 winners including fellow Darley stallion Helmet, unbeaten juvenile filly Earthquake, Overreach, Excelebration and Outstrip.

Exceed And Excel stands at Dalham Hall Stud at a fee of £35,000 alongside Helmet who stands at £8,000.