Top 40 Prospects - 2 more winners @ 9/1 & 15/8

I am working at Haydock Park tomorrow for Racing UK so will update the Diary properly on Sunday. It proved a good day for the Top 40 Prospects in One Jump Ahead with the Paul Nicholls trained pair Topofthegame (15/8) and Capitaine (9/1) both scoring at Ascot. Well done to both Anthony Bromley and Declan Phelan who were keen on the former for this season. Anthony bought the ex-Irish pointer for Chris Giles, while Declan spoke very highly about the four year old having won his sole outing 'between the flags.' He outclassed his rivals for the majority of the opening maiden hurdle before idling after the final flight. The winning margin of a short head didn't do his performance justice. Still green, he has an awful lot of potential and is very much one to follow.

Capitaine (9/1) was given an enterprising ride by Sam Twiston-Davies in the Kennel Gate NH and, while it is fair to say he had the run of the race, he was conceding weight to all of his rivals bar one and it was still a smart performance. Held up in a steadily run race at Haydock last time, he appreciated the better ground at the Berkshire track today. Time will tell whether he proves good enough to go close in the Skybet Supreme NH in March but the grey has already justified his inclusion by winning twice. The runner-up Captain Forez is another horse with a bright future. I am not sure the decision to hold him up was the right one but he stayed on well and will be a different proposition when racing over two and a half miles plus. Dan Skelton's ex-French gelding also features in Bromley's Best Buys and he could enter the Neptune NH picture - the track may not be ideal but something like the Sidney Banks Memorial NH at Huntingdon in February could suit him. He remains a terrific long-term prospect. Have good weekend.