Maqsad looks a high-class filly

Maqsad (5/4), who is featured in the Maidens In Waiting section of Ahead On The Flat, made it two from two this year when annihilating six rivals in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday. The daughter of Siyouni prevailed by a short head over a mile at the Craven meeting last month and seemingly relished the step up to ten furlongs here. Jim Crowley's mount was cruising throughout and only had to be pushed out to beat Shambolic. William Haggas has entered her in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary in France later this month, plus the Epsom and French Oaks. Stoutly bred on the dam's side, it would be no surprise to see her head to Epsom at the end of May. Either way, she looks a high-class filly in the making with realistic Group 1 aspirations.

Corelli came within half a length of supplying AOTF with another winner in the opening twelve furlongs handicap on the Rowley Mile. Gelded since winning at Southwell at the end of November, John Gosden's four year old drifted in the market beforehand but ran a cracker under Frankie Dettori. Attempting to make all, he had everything in trouble approaching the final furlong and was only worn down close home by the race fit former Royal Ascot winner Baghdad. The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at the Royal meeting next month could be on his agenda. There is a good middle distance prize to be won with the lightly raced son of Point of Entry.

There were a couple of winners at Hamilton included in AOTF, namely Semoum (2/1) and Southern Rock (7/2). The latter was bought out of Andre Fabre's yard for £30,000 in January and was having his first start for David O'Meara in the extended one mile maiden at the Scottish track. Ridden by Danny Tudhope, the son of New Approach had been gelded since his last run and he made all to win by four and a half lengths. He looks well bought and just the type his new connections excel with. The runner-up had finished second in the Wood Ditton Stakes at Newmarket behind UAE Jewel so it will be interesting to see what mark Southern Rock is allocated. Either way, he is one for the future.