One Jump Ahead

Apologies for failing to update the Diary for a few days but I have been busy researching for the forthcoming edition of One Jump Ahead. The plan is to start interviewing for the Talking Trainers section shortly in between trips to Hamilton, Haydock and Cartmel in the next seven days. I can't wait to get started.

Ten Sovereigns showed in the July Cup on Saturday that he is a top-class sprinter having failed to shine in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on his previous start. Aidan O'Brien's colt had won the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last Autumn but was then trained with the 2000 Guineas in mind. A non stayer over a mile on the Rowley Mile in early May, he has always shown a tremendous amount of speed and it would be no surprise to see him drop back to five furlongs in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month. Former stablemates Stravinsky and Mozart managed it and there is no reason why the son of No Nay Never can't follow suit.

It was pleasing to see Top 40 entry Ummalnar (7/2) put her below par effort at Ripon last month behind her when winning decisively at Ascot on Saturday. Reverting back to a mile, the daughter of Shamardal quickened up smartly to win going away by four lengths. Racing off a mark of 90, William Haggas considers her a black type filly in the making and it will be a surprise if she doesn't make an impact in Listed company at some stage this summer/autumn.