Lacey, Richards and Snowden added to the list

Al Husn was featured in the Top 40 Prospects in AOTF last year and the Dubawi filly won all three of her starts. Roger Varian's filly has taken her form to another level in 2023 winning three more times, including the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday. Having already captured the Listed Rothesay Stakes at Ayr and Group 3 Hoppings Stakes at Newcastle, the Shadwell owned four year old dipped her toe into the highest company for the first time and claimed some notable scalps in the process. Jim Crowley's filly stayed out of trouble on the outside before staying on well to beat previous Group 1 winners Above The Curve, last year's winner Nashwa and Blue Rose Cen who encountered her share of traffic problems on the far rail. The Churchill filly, who was seeking her fourth Group 1 win, stayed on at the death but the damage was done. Her rider Aurelien Lemaitre was having his first ride at the track and it showed. As regards the winner, she handles easy ground well and is expected to be aimed at the likes of the Group 1 Prix de L'Opera at Longchamp's Arc meeting in October. 

Desert Hero supplied the King and William Haggas with more big race glory when following up his win at Royal Ascot by taking the Group 3 Gordon Stakes under Tom Marquand. The son of Sea The Stars was successful in the King George V Handicap off a mark of 94 and took the return to Pattern company in his stride. Having travelled well, he came home strongly to beat Listed winner Chesspiece by a neck and has improved since stepped up to a mile and a half. The runner-up will appreciate returning to longer distances, while Top 40 entry Artistic Star ran creditably in fourth. Ralph Beckett's runner is another who is crying out for further and remains a live outsider for the St Leger. One can envisage him running over two miles one day.

During the last 48 hours, I have added three more names to the Talking Trainers roster for One Jump Ahead. On Wednesday, I made my annual trip to Greystoke to interview Nicky Richards. The Cumbrian handler was blessed with a strong team of bumper horses last winter and he has plenty to look forward to in the novice hurdle ranks this time around. On Thursday, I spoke to Tom Lacey and Jamie Snowden. As regular readers will be aware, I am a big fan of Tom and he says it as he sees it, while Jamie has been very busy at the sales acquiring new talent to add to his already impressive squad, which features Cheltenham Festival winner You Wear It Well. It is the first time Jamie has been featured in OJA and there is no doubt Nicky Henderson's former assistant is an exciting addition.