Top Rank failed to make an impact in the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket finishing last of the six runners. James Tate's four year old sat close to the lead but failed to pick up inside the final furlong and a half. The race went the way of the 2000 Guineas winner Kameko who was back to his best defying a five pounds penalty. Dropping back in trip, Andrew Balding's three year old stayed on strongly having come under pressure some way from home. A half length winner from Regal Reality, that will have set him up nicely for the QEII at Ascot next month. Very soft ground would be a concern though.
The Top 40 Prospects in Ahead On The Flat fared better at Newcastle on Friday with Higher Kingdom winning the six furlongs novice stakes. Archie Watson's lightly raced colt had only finished fourth on his reappearance at Yarmouth in June over seven furlongs. The ground that day was almost certainly too quick and he hadn't been seen since. Danny Tudhope's mount raced handily and had to be shaken up approaching the final furlong. However, he was comfortably on top at the death and he remains an interesting prospect for the rest of this season and beyond.
There is still time to order a copy of the Autumn Update which includes previews of the Cheveley Park and Middle Park Stakes, plus the Cambridgeshire, which all take place at Newmarket tomorrow. Please head to the Publications section to order, if you haven't already done so, plus One Jump Ahead and the five Updates for the National Hunt season.
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