Maljoom another Guineas winner for Top 40

Exciting prospect Maljoom (3/1) maintained his unbeaten record with a fine performance in the German 2000 Guineas at Cologne on Sunday. It was the 37th running of the Group 2 event and following a delay of quarter of an hour, Stevie Donohoe's mount was very slowly away forfeiting three or four lengths. Given time to get back into the contest, the son of Caravaggio showed a smart turn of foot to reel in Rocchigani inside the final half a furlong to win going away by a length and a quarter. It was William Haggas' third win in the race following the victories of Dupont (2002) and Brunel (2004). Entered in the St James's Palace Stakes, he can't afford another slow start when racing in the highest company but there is no doubt he is improving at a rate of knots and is a high-class three year.

Stablemate Alenquer capped a memorable week for the Somerville Lodge team when leading close home in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Given a superb ride by Tom Marquand, he edged out the much vaunted High Definition by a neck. It has been a magnificent month for Haggas with a dozen Pattern winners, including six this week. 

I thought Tuesday produced a very creditable performance to finish runner-up in the Irish 1000 Guineas. Placed in the English version at Newmarket, she was ideally positioned by Ryan Moore but couldn't match the winner Homeless Song's turn of foot. Beaten five and a half lengths, she is crying out for further and remains capable of winning a Group 1 this summer. Dermot Weld's winner is top-class and will take some stopping in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.