Autumn Update winners 11/2 & 6/4

Saturday results weren't good to say the least as far as the Autumn Update was concerned with the Cambridgeshire proving a huge anti-climax. The drying ground probably didn't suit Mujtaba and Totally Charming, although I am not convinced the latter stayed having travelled well. Jimi Hendrix was a big disappointment and never looked like getting involved. There were no excuses for Meditate in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Aidan O'Brien's filly hit the front but couldn't match Lezoo for speed late on. The fact the winner hadn't raced since late July compared to the runner-up who had a hard race in soft ground earlier this month possibly made the difference. 

Thankfully, twenty four hours later the results were much better with Knight (11/2) and Nobel (6/4) scoring in impressive fashion at Yarmouth and Epsom respectively. The first named holds an entry in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Doncaster next month and enjoyed the run of the race in the seven furlongs maiden at the East Anglian track. Staying on strongly under Cameron Noble, he won a couple of lengths from a couple of promising types in second and third. Nobel has always been held in high regard by Andrew Balding and he defied an absence of 291 days to win the ten furlongs novice at the Surrey venue. The son of Lope De Vega made all before pulling away for a two and three quarters of a length win. He looks smart and will be competing in Pattern company one day.

Waterville (5/1), who is featured in Ahead On The Flat, came from last to first to gain a last gasp victory in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh. Aidan O'Brien's three year old had won at Limerick on his handicap debut in June and is unexposed over staying distances. Given a masterful ride by Wayne Lordan, the son of Camelot prevailed by a neck from Willie Mullins' pair Echoes In Rain and Lot of Joy. Entered in the English equivalent next month, he is considered a Cup horse in the making by the Ballydoyle team.

Spit Spot (14/1) provided the Royal Ascot Update with another winner when scoring narrowly at Chelmsford on Saturday evening. Chris Wall's lightly raced filly stepped up to a mile and six for the first time and it suited the daughter of Sir Percy who led close home. She could be progressive in her own grade having won off a mark of 68.

I am working at Hamilton Park on Monday - their final meeting of the year - and will therefore update the Diary on my return. In the meantime, please head to the Publications section of the site to order a copy of One Jump Ahead and the Updates, if you haven't already done so.