Two more exciting prospects for Top 40

Sandown Park staged some terrific action on Friday with Mostahdaf making it six wins from seven career starts in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes. Tackling ten furlongs for the first time, the son of Frankel is bred to stay being a half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Nazeef and he produced a fine performance under a penalty to beat the 111 rated and Group 3 winner Foxes Tail. Jim Crowley sat in second position before making his move inside the final couple of furlongs. The four year old only received one tap before he readily pulled away from Andrew Balding's runner to score by two and a half lengths with the Royal Ascot winner Juan Elcano back in third. Races such as the Prince of Wales's Stakes and Coral Eclipse were mentioned afterwards. One would imagine he may return to the same track next month for the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (26th May).

The John and Thady Gosden trained colt is featured in the Top 40 Prospects and the same section when close to a Group 3 double when Cash failed by a short head to win the Classic Trial. The grey colt had impressed when winning on his racecourse debut at Newmarket last backend but this represented a major step up in class. However, the Shamardal colt certainly wasn't out of place in such a grade running a stormer under Jamie Spencer. David Simcock's runner wasn't keen to go in the stalls beforehand and he showed inexperience throughout the ten furlongs event. Despite that, he finished with real purpose inside the final furlong and was bearing down on the winner Westover at the death. The 107 rated Group 1 placed Goldspur was a length back in third. Presumably, Cash will contest another Derby trial next month and then a decision will be made whether he heads to Epsom, Royal Ascot or even Chantilly. Either way, he is a smashing prospect.

Ironically, the Ralph Beckett trained winner was spoken favourably about in the York Ebor Update last summer by yours truly. He made a striking impression when winning on his debut at the Esher track but I was underwhelmed by his subsequent two defeats at Newbury and Pontefract. Interestingly, his trainer viewed him as a possible St Leger horse when we spoke in February.

The triple Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi won the ten furlongs fillies' novice stakes in 2008 and John Gosden is hoping the latest winner, Emily Upjohn develops into a top-class filly. The daughter of Sea The Stars won her only start at Wolverhampton in November and had reportedly been working well in the early part of the spring. Even though Frankie Dettori's partner was carrying a penalty, it didn't prevent her from streaking clear inside the final furlong and a half to cross the line nine and a half lengths clear of her nearest rival. Her mother Hidden Brief finished third in the same event in 2009 but this filly looks of a much higher class. The Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York (11th May) is likely to be her next target - the stable have won 5 of the last 11 renewals.

I am working at Haydock Park on Saturday and therefore will update the Diary early next week. We only have around 200 copies of Ahead On The Flat remaining. If you haven't already ordered, please head to the Publications section of the site.