Racing: Darley's lucky Colours

SECOND COLOURS secured his place in Kevin Darley's affections yesterday when getting the rider off the mark for the season at Southwell.

The gelding provided Darley with the success last November that took him past Edward Hide's record of 137 winners in a year by a Northern-based rider, and Second Colours' reappearance in the Annesley Stakes coincided with the jockey's return to the domestic fray.

Darley, who flew home on Wednesday from a fortnight's working-holiday in Singapore which produced three winners, is now aiming at improving upon the 142 winners he achieved last season.

'It will be very difficult having a better season than last year, but that is what I am setting out to do,' Darley said.

Coral have promoted Golden Nashwan to ante-post favouritism for this year's 2,000 Guineas. Peter Chapple- Hyam's colt, the impressive winner of a Doncaster maiden in October on his only start at two, has been cut to 10-1 from 14-1 for the Newmarket race run on April 30.