Pondus one to note

James Fanshawe isn't renowned for numerous winners during April with the head of Pegasus Stables usually engaging top gear from June/July onwards. However, he introduced a potentially decent sort in the one mile novice stakes which opened the card at Nottingham on Wednesday. Pondus was bred by Kirsten Rausing and was bought for 80,000gns as a yearling. Unraced at two, the son of Sea of Moon, who is a half-brother to the ex-Michael Dods trained middle distance winner Mister Belvedere, was sent off 33/1 under Daniel Muscatt. Drawn widest of all in stall 14, he was slowly away but stayed on in taking fashion to finish fourth. Beaten six and a half lengths, he still holds an entry in the Derby. Owned by Hubert John Strecker, of Libertarian fame, he is very much one for the long-term and will appreciate a step up to ten furlongs. One can imagine he will win races this term before developing into an even better four year old. Pondus is the sort to be contesting something like the Old Newton Cup or Duke of Edinburgh Stakes one day.

While Fanshawe doesn't feature in the Talking Trainers section of Ahead On The Flat this year, Andrew Balding certainly does. It was interesting to note the Kingsclere trainer was featured in the Racing Post's Stable Tour on Wednesday. Only 29 of his string were covered compared to 63 in Ahead On The Flat. Don't delay in ordering your copy, if you haven't already done so.

I am heading to Scotland on Thursday evening because I am working at Ayr on Friday and Saturday for Racing TV. With no rain forecast, the ground is all set to be on the quick side, although they have already put 8mm of water on the track with the likelihood of more before the meeting gets underway. I will therefore update the Diary on my return.