Estrange a top prospect for the 40

David O'Meara believes the lightly raced Estrange could be the best horse he has handled during his hugely successful training career, which includes nine Group 1 winners. The grey four year old, who won at Listed level last Autumn, made a sparkling return to action in the Group 3 Lester Piggott Fillies Stakes at Haydock on Saturday. Reported to have worked well in the lead up, the Cheveley Park Stud owned filly was given a confident ride by Danny Tudhope being held up in rear during the early stages. Making smooth headway on the outside in the homestraight, she hit the front with over a furlong to run before stretching away. A four and a quarter lengths winner, she holds an entry in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh (28th June) and the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp (5th October). The Group 2 Lancashire Oaks (5th July) would appear an obvious next step, although the ground will dictate her programme. Ease underfoot is considered essential for this most exciting prospect. 

Another Top entry Volterra produced a career best effort when finishing third in the Group 3 John of Gaunt Stakes later on the same card. Kevin Ryan's four year old was tackling Pattern company for the first time and making his seasonal return following an absence of 238 days. Overcoming a wide draw in stall 11, the son of Farhh showed plenty of speed to get into a prominent position and was still moving strongly approaching the two marker. One of the last runners to come off the bridle, Shane Gray's mount was headed over a furlong out but kept on gamely and was beaten less than two lengths. Entered in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes and Royal Hunt Cup at the Royal meeting, he would be a tempting proposition in the latter event off his old mark of 103 - he is likely to be rated higher now. The proviso is the fact his owner is much keener to run in Pattern races than big field handicaps and Kevin Ryan may have some persuading to do. The other point to make is that he has yet to convince a mile is his optimum trip - he was an impressive winner over seven furlongs at Ascot in October. Indeed, I wish he had been entered in the Wokingham Handicap as a stiff six furlongs may prove to be his optimum distance. Either way, Volterra will hopefully land a big prize in 2025.