Tom Marquand straight back to winning ways on domestic return

Tom Marquand returned to domestic action in style at Kempton Park following his stint in Japan, scoring on his first ride back on Coul Angel before adding a winner in the colours of the King and Queen.

Sent off a 7-1 chance in the Unibet Supports Safer Gambling Novice Stakes, Marquand was teaming up with Mick Appleby, who provided him with multiple big-race wins on the now-retired Big Evs, who carried the same colours.

He quickly followed up aboard William Haggas’ 5-6 favourite Purple Rainbow, who carried the royal silks to victory in the first division of the Free Bet With Unibet’s Betbuilder Rebound Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Marquand has spent the past three winters riding in Japan with his wife Hollie Doyle – and rode six winners over his final weekend, including a Listed winner.

“It’s nice to come home, it’s been a while. It was a great trip, successful, and I ended up leaving on 21 winners which just chinned my last year’s tally,” he told Racing TV.

“I found some good horses to ride, which is what you always want, and as they’ve shown on the global stage they are so strong, so to experience some of the classy horses there is a treat.

“It’s tough to get into, so while we both qualify it’s a fantastic place to go.

“It comes off the back of a busy season which makes it tough for the first few weeks as the weights are pretty light, but the change in tempo is pretty nice. It’s intense while you’re racing, but in the week you get a chance to breathe.

“It’s nice not sitting in the car for multiple hours a day for a few months in the year.”

Marquand felt the standard of horse he was entrusted with this season was of a higher calibre and he will be racking up the air miles again soon.

He said: “The quality of horse (I rode) definitely rose at the back end of this trip so it was nice to get those opportunities, this weekend I won a Listed race on a proper Group-level horse, that’s fun anywhere in the world but the Japanese fans are so enthusiastic.

“I think I might have a trip to Dubai next week if Yaroogh goes for the UAE 2000 Guineas, there’s potentially a trip to Bahrain after that with a few rides for Shaikh Isa, my sponsor. After that there’s Qatar, Saudi, possibly back to Dubai. Australia remains a bit up in the air at the moment, but if William sends a horse I’ll be chasing it down there.”