Whimbrel (9/2) one for the Diary

The twice raced Whimbrel (9/2) was highlighted as a horse to watch out on here after the daughter of Dark Angel had finished an encouraging third behind stablemate Nonchalance at Haydock last month. Out of a twelve furlongs winner, John Gosden's filly appreciated the step up to ten furlongs at Chelmsford on Thursday and defied a wide draw (stall 15) and a marked drift in the betting (9/2 from 11/4). Ridden for the first time by Robert Havlin, she took charge rounding the final bend before staying on strongly to win by a couple of lengths.

Rakan (8/11) provided the What's The Craic In Ireland section in AOTF with another winner in the Listed King George V Cup at Leopardstown. Dermot Weld's Sea The Stars colt had shaped well on his reappearance in the Derrinstown Derby Trial at the same track over ten furlongs last month finishing fourth behind Broome. Stepping up a couple of furlongs, he ran on well to beat Barbados by three parts of a length. Both the runner-up and third, Eminent Authority, look useful so one would expect the form to work out. There is no doubt Rakan needs to improve again but it would be no surprise to see him steered towards the Irish Derby later this month.