Another 2 out of 2 for Top 40 Prospects

State Man did subscribers a huge favour when winning the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Rated 141 when beating First Street by a length and a quarter in March, the Doctor Dino gelding was tested in Grade 1 company for the first time in the two and a half miles novice hurdle on day four of the Punchestown Festival. Similar to Galopin Des Champs twelve months ago, the ex-French five year old made a seamless transition as he readily saw off the in form Flame Bearer by seven lengths. Patiently ridden, Paul Townend made his move rounding the hometurn and went to the front approaching the last. A good jump there sealed his win before he pulled clear. Willie Mullins indicated that a tilt at the Champion Hurdle could be on the agenda next term. He has been a terrific horse for the Top 40 Prospects in One Jump Ahead and a most exciting prospect for the future.

Despite only finishing third, I thought Three Stripe Life acquitted himself very well considering his busy scheduled during the second half of the campaign. Runner-up at the Dublin Racing Festival in February and the Cheltenham Festival in March, he then won a Grade 1 at Aintree in early April. It is a big ask for a young horse and hopefully he is returns as good as ever next Autumn when he is expected to embark on a novice chasing campaign.

The Top 40 Prospects in Ahead On The Flat had another couple of winners on Friday - 12 winners from 19 runners in total. When speaking to Roger Varian in February, the head of Carlburg Stables felt the lightly raced Legends of Dubai (7/4) was well handicapped off a mark of 85. The four year old won over a mile and a half at Ffos Las last summer but his trainer was of the opinion he would benefit from dropping back in distance. Reverting to a mile on his reappearance on the first day of the Guineas meeting at Newmarket, he made mincemeat of his four rivals scoring by four and a quarter lengths. David Egan's partner travelled smoothly in behind the leaders before striking the front approaching the final furlong. Pushed clear, he made a mockery of his rating on the fastest ground he has encountered. Given this victory over eight furlongs, it will be interesting to see if Legends of Dubai is given an entry in the Royal Hunt Cup (15th June), although we know he stays much further.

Lysander (11/10) was even more emphatic in victory at Newcastle and looks a classy three year old in the making. A well bred son of New Approach, William Haggas' charge had shaped most encouragingly on his sole start at Newbury last Autumn. Reported to have worked well during the spring, he didn't let his supporters down making all the running under Rowan Scott. Stretching away in the home straight, he wasn't hard pressed to beat debutant Capstan by eight and a half lengths with the well regarded Sonnerie Power back in third. Owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, he will be presumably tried in a Derby trial next month and I don't think he will look out of place in one. He looks a horse with a big future.

If you haven't already ordered a copy of Ahead On The Flat, please head to the Publications section of the site. With the major spring Festivals at Chester and York in the coming weeks, it is the ideal time to purchase your copy.

Value Racing Club paid 105,000gns for the former Mick Channon trained Cairn Gorm last Autumn and it is hoped the 93 rated sprinter will help fill the huge void left by Boundless Power. The son of Bated Breath has joined Newmarket trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy who has already trained 14 winners this term at a strike rate of 22%. I think it will prove a productive combination.