Top 40 & Royal Ascot Update winners

Top 40 Prospects entry Tafreej (5/4) ran well in first three races this year, including when an unlucky in running fourth at Chester on his latest start. Stepped up to a mile for the first time at Yarmouth on Friday, the son of Shamardal looked a well handicapped three year old when scoring by a length and three quarters off a mark of 84. Held up by Dane O'Neill, he was always travelling strongly and, despite being carried across the track late on by the runner-up, he quickened up smartly to win going away. From the family of Oaks and King George winner Taghrooda, William Haggas' gelding should stay further and it is not inconceivable he could develop into a Cambridgeshire contender in the Autumn. A winner on fast and slow ground, he is one to follow from a stable very much in form - he was the yard's sixth winner from their last nine runners.

I was working at Hamilton Park on Thursday evening and it was pleasing to see Ninety Nine (13/8) justify heavy market support shortly before the off in the five furlongs fillies' maiden stakes - if only just. The Richard Fahey trained daughter of Dandy Man was highlighted as a two year old to keep an eye on in the Royal Ascot Update, having shown plenty of promise on her debut at Wetherby last month. Reverting back to the minimum trip, Paul Mulrennan's mount was forced to dig deep to edge out the more experienced 69 rated Bellarchi by a nose. Too close for a comfort but a winner is a winner. The Bronte Collection owned filly is out of Red Balloons, who won the valuable sales race at York's Ebor meeting as a juvenile before being Group 3 placed the following year.