Shutter Speed wins for Top 40, plus 25/1, 14/1 & 4/1 winners @ York in AOTF

Heavy rain turned the ground soft on the first day of York's Dante meeting. Although she didn't enjoy the conditions, Shutter Speed maintained her unbeaten record by winning the Musidora Stakes by a length and three quarters from Vintage Folly. Despite her victory, John Gosden and Frankie Dettori feel ten furlongs is as far as the daughter of Dansili wants and she will therefore be steered towards the French Oaks rather than the English version. It is disappointing she won't be heading to Epsom because I feel she is a top-class filly who will show her true worth later this summer on fast ground. I have no doubts she will develop into one of the season's leading three year old fillies, if not the best.

Shutter Speed is featured in the Top 40 Prospects and it was an excellent day overall for Ahead On The Flat. The Talking Trainers section also included York winners Al Qahwa (25/1), Tasleet (14/1) and Battered (4/1).

Tasleet won the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes for William Haggas. I thought there were a couple of noteworthy performances in behind. The Tin Man was forced to carry a Group 1 penalty and James Fanshawe's charge ran well for a long way until tiring late on. Only beaten around six lengths in fifth, his stable have yet to hit form and the five year old will improve as the season goes on. Suedois may have only finished eighth but David O'Meara made the point in AOTF that his six year old incurred an injury in the United States at the end of last year and his winter was therefore disrupted. He will be much straighter with this run behind him and will be no forlorn hope at the Royal meeting next month. The Le Havre gelding shouldn't be underestimated.