15 winners over the weekend

The Top 40 Prospects in One Jump Ahead have made a solid start with 3 winners from 4 runners, Deeply Superficial (11/8) being the latest success. An expensive purchase having won her sole Irish point-to-point last season, the five year old stayed on strongly to win the mares' novice hurdle at Galway on Sunday. The daughter of Flemensfirth was well positioned throughout before being pushed to the front after the second last. A three and a quarter lengths winner, Gordon Elliott's string are improving for their initial outings which bodes well for this promising mare. She will have no trouble staying further in time and is a fine prospect.

Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers section has started the campaign like a house on fire with half a dozen winners already. Inthepocket (7/4) looks a horse with a bright future judged on his impressive win on his Rules debut at Wexford. Contesting the two miles maiden hurdle, Henry De Bromhead's gelding was well supported beforehand and travelled and jumped well before being pushed clear to win by six lengths. The fact he could win so readily over two miles on a sharp track speaks volumes about his ability. Stamina looked his strong suit in his point and the five year old threatens to be even better over further. 

Indeed, it was a fantastic weekend for followers of One Jump Ahead with 11 winners on Saturday and another 4 on Sunday. Paul Nicholls interview in the Talking Trainers section is proving priceless. The 13 times Champion trainer not only sent out Bravemansgame to win the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in impressive fashion, he also stated on page 111 that Thyme White is 'best fresh and will be aimed at the good two mile handicap chases and could be one for Ascot in the Autumn.' The six year old duly won the premier two miles handicap chase at 9/1. 

Paul highlighted 11 unraced bumper horses to watch out for a few days after Lime Avenue's facile win at Chepstow, Fire Flyer (7/2) scored on his debut at Ascot. A youngster by Shantou, he stayed on strongly in the closing stages and could return to the same track for the Listed bumper before Christmas. 

Talking of Unraced Bumper horses, Dunnet Head (9/4) came from last to first to win the finale at Ayr on Saturday on his debut. Ray Green told me about the gelded son of Sholokhov at the Scottish National meeting and he justified his inclusion on page 171 with an excellent performance. Trained by Iain Jardine, he didn't get the clearest of runs in the homestraight but showed a good turn of foot to win going away. He looks a smashing prospect for his connections.

Common Practice (7/2), who is featured in the Changing Codes section was sympathetically handled on his first couple of runs over timber. Joseph O'Brien's three year old was a different proposition though on his third start pulling three and a half lengths clear of the juvenile hurdle at Galway barely coming out of second gear in the process. The son of Gleneagles handled the rain softened ground with aplomb and is the sort to win a decent handicap later in the season. 

The full list of winners in One Jump Ahead over the weekend - Bravemansgame (2/1), Common Practice (7/2), Deeply Superficial (11/8), Dunnet Head (9/4), Fire Flyer (7/2), Hall Lane (22/1), Highway One O Two (15/2), Houston Texas (3/1), Inthepocket (7/4), Iron Bridge (7/2), Leave of Absence (8/11), Mackenberg (4/1), Molly Ollys Wishes (15/8), Path D'Oroux (15/8) and Thyme White (9/1).

Iron Bridge featured in the Top 40 Prospects last season winning both his starts over hurdles. I wish I had elected to include Jonjo O'Neill's charge in this year's, too, because the ex-Irish gelding looked a smart chaser in the making when registering an eight and a half lengths win in the Gordon Richards' Novices' Handicap Chase at Carlisle on Sunday. Patiently handled by Jonjo jnr, he crept into contention before taking charge over the last few fences. Racing off a mark of 125, the Milan gelding looked well handicapped and will improve again once tackling three miles. Soft ground is important to the six year old and underfoot conditions will dictate his programme. If staying sound, he could develop into a high-class staying chaser one day.

Finally, well done to James Reveley who rode a four timer at Compiegne on Saturday, including a Grade 2 success and also a victory for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Tom George. The dual champion jockey is now 8 clear in his bid to land the title for a third time.