Sea Just In Time (11/2) another one for Top 40

The three day Guineas Festival at Newmarket got underway on Friday and the Top 40 entry Sea Just In Time (11/2) made a spectacular start to her career by winning the ten furlongs fillies' maiden in convincing fashion. Held up during the early stages, the William Haggas trained runner cruised into contention approaching the bushes before being sent to the front. Pulling away inside the final furlong, the daughter of Sea The Stars crossed the line nearly five lengths in front and looked a high-class prospect in the process. Entered in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix de Diane, she is a full-sister to former stablemates Sea On Time and Truthful and threatens to be better than that pair. Provided it doesn't come too soon, perhaps Sea Just In Time will be tried in something like the Listed Fillies' Trial over ten furlongs at Newbury (18th May). On pedigree, she will be even better over a mile and a half and racing on faster ground. She is a tremendous prospect for the Top 40 Prospects.

There was plenty to like about English Oak's reappearance in the seven furlongs handicap later on the card. Ed Walker's four year old was reverting back to seven furlongs having run well over shorter at Ascot last Autumn. The son of Wootton Bassett was racing off a mark of 90 and Tom Marquand's mount kept on to finish second behind the all the way winner Noble Dynasty. Beaten two lengths, the Godolphin owned winner got first run and never looked like being caught. However, the runner-up will be sharper for the outing and he will be suited by dropping back in trip. He has got Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot written all over him.