Top 40 Prospects winner Forever Popular (11/1)

Atalan (7/2), featured in the Appendix of Ahead On The Flat, looks a progressive staying handicapper judging by his comfortable success at Nottingham this afternoon. A half-brother to stablemate and Group 2 winner Vent De Force, he was gelded during the winter and readily registered his first success on turf in the one mile six handicap. Jim Crowley’s mount was always going well and only had to be pushed out to win by nearly three lengths. Successful off a mark of 67, he looks more than capable of defying a rise in the ratings.

Forever Popular provided the Top 40 Prospects with a welcome winner in the twelve furlongs handicap at York yesterday. Given a positive ride by Ben Curtis, William Haggas’ well bred filly showed a terrific attitude as she fended off the persistent challenge of Yorkidding to prevail by half a length. On this evidence, the four year old will stay further.

Even though Monotype was unable to win on his reappearance and first start for Roger Varian at Goodwood, there was plenty of encouragement to be gained from the run. Gelded since his last run, he was beaten a length by Kinema but ought to be much straighter next time. The Ebor at York looks a realistic aim, provided his enthusiastic owner doesn’t aim too high with him. Any ease in the ground is likely to always prove beneficial.