Top 40 winners Indelible (9/1) & Mickley (13/8)

While all eyes were on Epsom on Friday with Ezeliya providing Dermot Weld and the Aga Khan with more Classic success in the Oaks and Hamish running another terrific race in defeat behind Luxembourg in the Coronation Cup, the Top 40 Prospects had a very productive evening at Doncaster.

Indelible (9/1) set the ball rolling with victory in the one mile novice stakes defying an absence of 208 days and a penalty in the process. Successful on the all-weather at Lingfield last backend, the beautifully bred daughter of Shamardal was touted as a possible Guineas contender in the spring but wasn't ready in time for a trial. Reappearing on Town Moor under Callum Rodriguez, Ralph Beckett's filly showed signs of inexperience coming off the bridle before responding generously and reeling in Amphius in the closing stages. A half length scorer, she is bred to stay further being out of the top-class multiple Group 1 winning mare Midday but it will be interesting to see if she is steered towards something like the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot before heading down the black type route. Either way, she is a smart prospect for the summer and beyond.

One couldn't fail to have been impressed by the performance of Mickley (13/8) on his handicap debut over seven furlongs an hour later. Ed Bethell hasn't hidden his regard for the Soldier's Call gelding and he looked a well treated youngster scoring here by a length and a quarter off a mark of 83. Travelling strongly under Rodriguez, he hit the front and readily put the race to bed and was value for more than the winning margin. I spoke to Ed a few days earlier at Redcar and he reported him in good fettle. Both his wins this term have been gained over seven furlongs but he doesn't look slow and could revert back to sprint trips. Alternatively, he wasn't stopping at either Southwell or Doncaster and could stay a mile. There is a valuable handicap to be won with him.

The Top 40 Prospects has produced 15 winners from 43 runners (35%) including exciting prospects Economics (6/1), Elmalka (28/1), English Oak, Friendly Soul (10/1), Indelible (9/1), Matsuri, Sardinian Warrior, Sea Just In Time (11/2) and Space Legend.

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