Excellent evening for AOTF

Wednesday evening proved a profitable one for followers of Ahead On The Flat with Top 40 entry Cracksking landed a substantial gamble in the twelve furlongs handicap at Kempton. James Fanshawe's four year old was available at 11/2 when the bookmakers first priced up on Monday and was sent off 10/11. Stepping back up in trip, he gained ample compensation for his narrow defeat at Newbury last time. Tom Marquand was on board and he sat relatively close to a steady early gallop. Once shaken up in the homestraight, the gelded son of Frankel lengthened away for a comfortable one and three quarter lengths success. Scoring here off a mark of 86, it is possible he will be aimed at something like the Old Newton Cup at Haydock (6th July).

Roger Varian was adamant that Dosman (100/30) was better than he showed on his debut at Leicester in September when we spoke in February. The head of Carlburg Stables proved spotted on as the Frankel colt made a winning reappearance in the seven furlongs novice stakes at the Sunbury venue. Returning from an absence of 254 days, Silvestre De Sousa mount was never far away on the inside before being produced inside the final furlong. He looks a useful prospect for the summer and beyond and is another winner for the Maidens In Waiting section of AOTF.

Finally, Golden Strike (13/8) was highlighted in the Stable Gossip section and he also made a winning return to action - albeit leaving it very late in the six furlongs novice stakes at Ripon. Richard Fahey's colt won at Ayr as a juvenile and is well regarded at Musley Bank. Ridden by Billy Garritty, the Calyx colt came off the bridle at halfway and appeared to be struggling to keep tabs. However, once pulled out he finished strongly to win going away by half a length. In the same event the Value Racing Club owned Elegant Call ran a race full of promise going through the contest like the best horse in the field. The Soldier's Call filly, who was acquired for 42,000gns to remain in Tim Easterby's yard, showed blistering early speed before getting tired late on. Officially rated 72, she ought to develop into a real moneyspinner for her members and will be hard to beat next time when dropped back to five furlongs. Her jockey David Allan was reportedly impressed. 

I am working at Haydock Park on Thursday - there are some really interesting novice contests - and will therefore update the Diary at the end of the week. I am hoping to speak to a few people re their Royal Ascot plans. If you haven't ordered your Royal Ascot Update, please head to the Publications section of the site.