Top 40 winners Raammee (5/1) & Zeus Olympios (7/2)

The wait for an outstanding sprinter in Europe to emerge continues with Comanche Brave winning the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket. Donnacha O'Brien's four year old had impressed when capturing the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh in May but could only finish seventh in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of Wootton Bassett travelled smoothly in behind the leader before taking over from the front running Satono Reve over a furlong out. Pushed out to score by a length under Billy Loughnane, he was firmly on top at the finish. The three year old Venetian Sun, who was bidding for her third Group 1 victory, ran well in second but may have appreciated a slower surface. There are more big prizes to be won with Karl Burke's filly. I was disappointed with Top 40 entry Double Rush who could only finish eighth. Perhaps he sat too close to the forward going Satono Reve or perhaps the race came too soon after Royal Ascot. It is also possible Andrew Balding's four year old just isn't that level - time will tell. 

Otherwise, it was a terrific day for the Top 40 with Raamee (5/1) and Zeus Olympios (7/2) winning the John Smith's Cup at York and Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot respectively. The former had shaped with a lot of promise over a mile at Sandown on his previous start and appeared to relish the step up to ten furlongs on the Knavesmire. Ray Dawson's mount came with a strong run on the outside and, despite edging to his left and right in the closing stages, he had done enough to prevail by three parts of a length from the fast finishing Hand of God. Roger Varian was convinced the four year old was capable of winning a big prize when we spoke in February and so it proved. The Persian King gelding looks worth a crack at Listed race and it will be interesting to see if he returns to York next month for something like the Group 3 Strensall Stakes over nine furlongs. 

Zeus Olympios has been knocking on the door in the top events over a mile during the first half of the season. Karl Burke's colt ran creditably in the Lockinge Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes without looking like a winner waiting to happen at the highest level over a mile. Dropped back into Group 2 company in the Summer Mile Stakes on the round track at Ascot, Sam James' mount got the better of stablemate Holloway Boy by half a length. The four year old is a strong galloper rather than a horse blessed with a turn of foot. Despite the fact he scored her over a mile, it may be worth trying him over further. Granted a more positive ride, old rival More Thunder would almost certainly have given Zeus Olympios plenty to think about. William Haggas' runner was set an impossible task. 

The Top 40 Prospects in Ahead On The Flat 2026 have had an excellent season with 31 winners from 82 runners at a strike-rate of 38%. They have included Antipodes, Diamond Necklace, Double Rush, Earth Shot, Erdenali, King of Earth, Klassleader, Raamee, Sabre Strike, Sticktoyourguns, Talk of New York and Zeus Olympios.

Going back to the John Smith's Cup, there was plenty going on in the latter stages with Salam Dubawi causing interference and subsequently demoted to fifth position. The hard luck story of the race was old favourite Danger Bay who featured in AOTF last year. Ed Bethell's charge crossed the line in fifth before being promoted to fourth. Still going well in behind the leaders, the four year old got caught up in the trouble and was one of the chief sufferers. Once in the clear, he stormed home under Danny Tudhope and would have been in the shake up with a clear passage. Given the fact he bled last year, there will always be a question mark there, but otherwise he possesses the ability to win something similar or even at a higher level. 

It's time now to switch codes and concentrate on One Jump Ahead...........