Captain Bellamy looks another star for the Top 40

There were two runners in the Top 40 Prospects at Chepstow on Tuesday and the pair both lined up in the concluding bumper. They included the winner Captain Bellamy who made a sparkling start to his Rules career racing prominently throughout before pulling away for a four lengths win. Despite edging to his left late on, the former Irish pointer was in full control confirming the impression the Black Sam Bellamy gelding had created in his win between the flags in the spring. A private purchase, the four year old is likely to remain in bumpers for the rest of this season before embarking on a hurdles career this time next year. He looks a terrific prospect. It was Paul Nicholls' fourth win in the race during the last six years.

Kap Ouest ran a race full of promise in third and would have won most bumpers but had the misfortune to bump into a potential star. Patiently ridden by Jonathan Burke, the J.P.McManus owned gelding crept into contention early in the homestraight before keeping on well. Beaten five and a half lengths, Harry Fry's runner will be hard to beat next time and is very much one for the future. 

The Top 40 Prospects have made a fine start with some exciting young prospects amongst them. There are plenty more entered later in the week. Just a reminder to say we have SOLD out of copies of One Jump Ahead but the PDF version is still available. Alternatively, paper copies can be purchased via Amazon.