Short price double in France

It was an early start at Longchamp in France on Thursday morning due to the warm weather and the Appendix in Ahead On The Flat was amongst the winners with a short price double. Telecaster looked a horse with tremendous potential when beating Too Darn Hot in the Dante Stakes over a year ago but then disappointed in both the Epsom Derby and Eclipse Stakes. Hughie Morrison's son of New Approach missed the remainder of the campaign but shaped well on his return to action in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Haydock this month. Third behind subsequent Group 1 winner Lord North, he benefited from that outing by winning another Group 3 event by four lengths at the Parisian track. Partnered by Christopher Soumillon, he pulled clear to win with any amount in hand. A race such as the Group 2 Skybet York Stakes at the end of next month looks an obvious target later this summer.

Space Blues was also in action at Haydock earlier in June winning a Listed contest over seven furlongs. Godolphin's four year old missed Royal Ascot last week in preference to run in a Group 3 at Longchamp and the decision was vindicated. Successful by a length and a quarter, Charlie Appleby's colt stayed on strongly and looks ideal for races such as the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. Placed in the latter contest last season, he is capable of winning at the highest level this season. The long-term aim is likely to be the Prix de La Foret at Longchamp during Arc weekend in October.

The Handicap Snips section in Ahead On The Flat was unlucky not to have a winner at Windsor on Wednesday evening. I am very hopeful the same feature will have a winner on Friday. Look out for the horse at the top of page 116.