Classic success for Top 40

Admittedly, they were short prices, but the featured horses in Ahead on The Flat had a productive weekend. Top 40 entry Diamond Necklace was the headline act with Aidan O'Brien's filly winning the Group 1 Poule d'Essai Des Pouliches at Longchamp on Sunday in impressive fashion. The daughter of St Mark's Basilica was unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile, including the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac in October last year, and she made the perfect start to her three year old campaign with a three lengths victory. Drawn in stall three, Ryan Moore's mount sat in behind the leaders before being unleashed over a furlong out. Pushed clear to win emphatically, she has a whole series of options this summer. Either the Epsom Oaks (5th June) or Prix de Diane at Chantilly (14th June) is likely to be next with her connections suggesting a step up in trip will be on the cards. Regardless of where she reappears, the Ballydoyle filly will be tough to beat with the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe expected to be her main Autumn target. She is a hugely exciting prospect.

The Maidens In Waiting section was amongst the winners on Saturday with Lightning Thunder and King's Cavalry scoring at Nottingham and Leicester respectively. The former was forced to dig deep to fend off the persistent challenge of Romanticizing in the one mile maiden at Colwick Park. John & Thady Gosden's runner travelled strongly before hitting the front over two out and will benefit from being held on to for longer next time. The Night of Thunder colt could be Britannia Stakes material at Royal Ascot. 

James Tate must have been very pleased with the latter's victory in the seven furlongs novice stakes. A well bred son of Kingman, he was inclined to race keenly during the first furlong but soon settled in behind the leaders. Leading over a furlong out, Luke Morris' mount pulled away to win easily by four and a quarter lengths. Bred to stay a mile, he needs to learn to relax but is progressing with each start. He is a likeable colt who can win a valuable prize this term.

I was working at Haydock Park on Saturday with Lake Forest providing the highlight in the seven furlongs Listed contest. Runner-up in the Group 1 City of York Stakes last summer, the five year old had been gelded during the winter and he looked better than ever streaking five and a half lengths clear in the closing stages. Speaking to racing manager Sean Graham afterwards, he is likely to tackle the Group 3 Tattenham Corner Stakes at Epsom (6th June) on Derby day - it has replaced the John of Gaunt Stakes which was previously run at the Merseyside track. Seven furlongs on fast ground is ideal for William Haggas' charge.

Finally, the Ballydoyle Juveniles section had a couple of short price winners at Naas on Saturday, namely Carry The Flag and Confucius, plus Sun Goddess shaped like a surefire future winner when narrowly beaten by the former. 

The three day Dante Festival at York gets underway on Wednesday and the Top 40 Prospects is likely to be heavily represented on the opening afternoon - one of my favourite days of the year, the card features the Sky Bet Jorvik Handicap, Group 2 Minster Stakes, Group 3 Musidora Stakes and a very competitive six furlongs handicap. I am working for Racing TV and it promises to be a superb day on the Knavesmire.

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