Eldar Eldarov another Classic winner for Top 40

The Top 40 Prospects in Ahead On The Flat haven't enjoyed the best of luck in terms of injuries etc in 2022 but it has produced 4 Classic winners, including three in the UK which is no mean achievement. Eldar Eldarov (9/2) provided Roger Varian with his second win in the St Leger at Doncaster when staying on strongly in the closing stages. Michael Jarvis' former assistant won the oldest Classic with Kingston Hill eight years ago and he has had the race in mind for this son of Dubawi for some time. Slow to come to hand during the spring, Eldar Eldarov didn't reappear until late May winning under a penalty in a novice stakes at Newcastle. He then led close home in the Group 2 Queens Vase at Royal Ascot proving his stamina in the process. Unsuited by the drying ground and dropping back to a mile and a half in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last time, he was given a break and prepared for the St Leger. The rain softened ground came in his favour on Town Moor on Sunday and his stamina was key as he took over inside the final furlong to prevail by half a length. Not surprisingly, Roger Varian mentioned a Cup campaign next year.

Another Top 40 entry New London crossed the line in third but was subsequently promoted to second. While Godolphin's colt ran well, I am not convinced he stayed the trip thoroughly and will be seen to better advantage over twelve furlongs in the future. Better ground would have also helped William Buick's mount. He remains promising colt who will make a high-class four year old.

Above The Curve (5/1) is featured in the Maidens In Waiting section of AOTF and Joseph O'Brien's daughter of American Pharoah returned from an absence of 105 days to win the Group 2 Blandford Stakes on the second day of Champions weekend in Ireland at the Curragh. Successful in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp last time, she was given a text book ride by Ryan Moore before staying on strongly to beat Insinuendo by half a length. The Group 1 Prix de L'Opera at Longchamp (2nd October) appears an obvious target with ten furlongs seemingly bein her optimum trip. She is a high-class filly who may stay in training next term.

Talking of the Curragh, Highfield Princess completed a remarkable hat-trick of Group 1 wins in the space of 35 days when blitzing the field in the Flying Five Stakes. The Night of Thunder mare has won five times during 2022 and is a credit to John Quinn and her team. She is likely to bring down the curtain down on her illustrious career in the Breeders' Cup Sprint in early November. 

I will continue to process orders for One Jump Ahead this week, plus working on the Autumn Update which is published on Thursday 22nd September. Please head to the Publications section of the site to order copies of OJA or the Autumn Update, if you haven't already. It is an exciting time of year.