Three winners in three days for Top 40

It was pleasing to see Famous Bridge (11/4) get his head in front for the first time over fences when beating more experienced chasers in the two miles handicap at Wetherby on Monday. Having shaped encouragingly on his chase bow at Doncaster in January, he put in a a lacklustre effort at Ayr last time but bounced back at the A1 track. Dropped four pounds by the handicapper after his last effort, he jumped soundly and quickened up smartly to reel in longtime leader Enzo D'Airy to win going away by three lengths. It would be no surprise to see the Fame And Glory gelding head to Ayr's Scottish National meeting next - whether he is ready for something like the Listed Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase (21st April) time will tell but this was a big step in the right direction. 

It has been something of a purple patch for the Top 40 Prospects with 3 winners in as many days. Authorised Speed recorded his third win of the campaign, although his jumping didn't convince again before stretching away to by 19 lengths in the opening two miles novice hurdle at Sandown on Tuesday. A step up in trip appears likely but that may not be until next season with Gary Moore suggesting afterwards the six year old could be put away now. 

Value Racing Club have also enjoyed a terrific few days and forty eight hours after Dibble Decker landed a nice pot at Huntingdon, his stablemate Howlingmadmurdock made it two wins from three starts over timber when taking the novices' handicap hurdle at the Esher track. Making his handicap bow off a mark of 118, the Soldier of Fortune gelding atoned for his defeat at Catterick last time with a fine performance under Stan Sheppard. A length and a quarter winner, it was over thirty lengths back to the third. Purchased for £26,000, the six year old is a lovely youngster who is proving to be an excellent purchase. 

Talking of VRC, don't forget their Cheltenham Festival preview night on Friday with the tapes going up at 6pm. The evening is hosted by leading commentator Stewart Machin and the panels includes his and my Racing TV colleague Gary O'Brien, the in-form Tom Lacey and David Pipe and jockey Gavin Sheehan. It promises to be a most enjoyable evening. Book your place via the ValueRacingClub website.

Please head to the Publications section of the site to order your copy of the One Jump Ahead Cheltenham Festival Update, if you haven't already done so. The Update, which is priced at £10.00, will be emailed to clients on Sunday 12th March pm.