Top 40 Prospects winner Elmonjed (11/4)

Speaking to William Haggas in February for Ahead On The Flat, the Newmarket trainer was confident the unbeaten juvenile Elmonjed would develop into a useful three year old sprinter on fast ground. The well bred son of Blue Point looked rusty on his seasonal return over seven furlongs - plus he was drawn wide - at York's Dante meeting. Returning to the Knavesmire a month later for the valuable MacMillan Sprint Handicap over six furlongs, the Shadwell runner was fitted with cheekpieces and he ran well in third. He filled the same position at Windsor at the end of July and returned to the Thames track on Monday evening and scooped a big pot in the Sprint Series Final. On this occasion, blinkers replaced the cheekpieces and they certainly sharpened Elmonjed up travelling strongly and hitting the front with over a furlong to run. Despite things getting tight late on, Jim Crowley's mount prevailed by a neck. Scoring here off a mark of 89, he has the ability to progress still further. 

Earlier in the day, another Top 40 entry Caprelo was denied late on in the twelve furlongs handicap at Kempton. Hughie Morrison's charge had won at the track in the spring before finishing second at Windsor in May. Off since (84 days), David Egan's mount held every chance here and looked the most likely winner when hitting the front inside the final two furlongs. Unfortunately, he was headed in the shadows of the post by Alpen Power. Beaten a neck, the runner-up is bred to stay further and looks worth a try over a mile and a six in the near future. Even allowing a few pounds rise for this narrow defeat, he remains fairly handicapped and is capable of winning more races.