Andrew Balding looks to have acquired a useful recruit following Jonquil’s ready reappearance success in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

An eye-catching winner on his debut at Sandown for trainer Sir Michael Stoute before his disappointing effort in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster in September, Jonquil quickly proved what he was capable of when making a striking winning start for Andrew Balding.

Carrying the colours of Juddmonte, who endured agony in the same contest when Chaldean unshipped Frankie Dettori coming out of the stalls two seasons ago, the son of Lope De Vega was sent off an 8/1 chance to get back to winning ways.

He travelled smoothly throughout under Oisin Murphy, who appeared to be riding the colt full of confidence as the ten-strong field hurtled towards the two pole. It was at this point that Charlie Appleby's market leader Al Qudra weakened tamely out of contention, leaving last year's shock Coventry Stakes winner Rashabar to take up the running.

From there on in, Brain Meehan's charge battled on well in an attempt to see off Jonquil, but in all truth, he always looked to be a sitting duck for Andrew Balding's three-year-old, who once given the office, picked up in taking style to pull away for a length and a half success.

Joseph O'Brien's debut winner Saracen shaped well back in third on his second career outing, with Diablo Rojo a further length and a half back in fourth.

Paddy Power cut the winner to 16/1 (from 50s) for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, with Balding appearing to edge in that direction.

"I'm delighted, and I thought he picked up really well to win there," said Balding. "He looked a smart horse for Sir Michael last year on debut. Things didn't quite go to plan second time.

"I think everyone connected with the horse previously was sure that Doncaster run was just a blip, and they always had a very high opinion of him.

"We were thrilled when we were told he was coming to us. We've had plenty of time with him, and his work has been great. He arrived at Kingsclere before Christmas, so it's been a while, and he's done plenty of work.

"We're thrilled to win a race like this, and it looks like a mile will suit him. He's settled through the race, hit the line strong. I couldn't be happier.

"He's a very well-balanced horse, so I wouldn't have thought Newmarket would be a problem if we decide to go there.

"We'll wait to see what next week's trials bring, and he's in the English and French Guineas. Anything is possible, and we will try a mile at some stage, but the Guineas is not too far away, so we'll just see how he comes out of it and what happens next week."

Murphy added: "His work has been excellent, and Ryan Moore really liked him last year; it is exactly what we hoped for.

"He's a very fast horse, and if he gets a mile, it will be exciting. I would imagine he will go for a Guineas if he's healthy, and I think we have just seen a really good horse. Rashabar is a really

good horse in second, and he cruised up to him. It's only his third start, and you have to be pleased.

"He's the perfect specimen for the modern racehorse, and if you think of the likes of Auguste Rodin and all those champions, they're not overly big, but this lad is big enough.

"He's different to Cosmic Year, and he might just be a bit faster, but this lad has that little bit more experience. Let's hope they carry on the way they have started this year."

Meehan was delighted with his runner-up Rashabar, who now looks set to head to Newmarket in favour of a trip to France.

He added: "I'm very happy. That's what we came here to do, and he has needed that run a little bit. Sean (Levey) said he was just doing all the things he wouldn't have necessarily wanted to do – there was no real pace, so we had to get on and go forward.

"There is massive improvement to come, and I've been saying that all week. Today was a trial, and now Newmarket (for the 2000 Guineas) is high on the list; there should be a good 20 per cent improvement to come.

"I'm just glad to get that out of the way because he's weighed in there last night at 508kg, which is a huge amount of weight so he would have needed it and he's gone and run really well.

"We have to see how he comes out of the race, and the ground will be a factor. I'll talk it over with Sean next week and see what we think, but I'm very happy.

"He's been placed in two Group 1s, and one of those is on ground he doesn't like. He's going to be a great horse this year."