New London is Leger bound

The less said the better about Miss Dynamic who looked clueless on her racecourse debut in the finale at Goodwood on Thursday. Mark Johnston's filly must be better than that but I won't be in a rush to support her in the near future.

On a happier note, New London provided the Top 40 Prospects with a winner and, in doing so, cemented his claims for the St Leger at Doncaster in September. Charlie Appleby's colt had impressed when winning a competitive handicap at Newmarket's July meeting earlier this month off a mark of 99. Returning to Pattern company, the son of Dubawi justified strong market support to win the Group 3 Gordon Stakes by a length and three quarters from Deauville Legend with the Epsom Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal in third. Given his style of racing and pedigree, there is every reason to believe New London will stay an extra couple of furlongs and looks set to go well in the oldest Classic on Town Moor.

Vee Sight was the other member of the Top 40 in action on Thursday with Ralph Beckett's charge finishing a frustrating fourth in the opening ten furlongs handicap. An emphatic winner at Sandown on his handicap debut last time, he never looked comfortable on the track following a slow start. Despite hanging in the home straight he came home strongly and was only beaten around five lengths. Bred to stay even further, he is a horse to keep faith with because his ability isn't in doubt. Look out for him on a more convential track in the coming weeks. 

On Thursday afternoon, I interviewed Tom Lacey for One Jump Ahead. The Herefordshire trainer tasted Graded success with Lossiemouth last winter, plus stable star Glory And Fortune improved twenty three pounds with three victories including the Welsh Champion Hurdle and Betfair Hurdle at Ffos Las and Newbury respectively. The yard has a host of nice youngsters and looks particularly strong in the novice hurdle department.

I have now completed seven interviews, namely Harry Fry, Philip Hobbs, Tom Lacey, Donald McCain, Gary Moore, Lucinda Russell and Dan Skelton. Plus, I contacted a couple more earlier in the day. I will keep readers informed on the Diary.