Maidens In Waiting winner Clove Hitch

The Maidens In Waiting section in AOTF have been in decent form this spring/summer and Clove Hitch gained a much deserved win at Newbury on Thursday. The Siyouni filly, who is rated 90, had finished third behind Economics on her reappearance at the same track in April before being narrowly denied at Windsor. Andrew Balding's mount was given a no nonsense ride with Oisin Murphy keeping it simple and the Juddmonte owned filly making all and pulling clear inside the final quarter of a mile. She recorded a much quicker time than the two divisions of the three year old handicaps earlier on the card. An eight lengths winner, it will be interesting to see if he connections give her an entry in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot next week - highly regarded by those at Kingsclere, she wouldn't look out of place. Longer-term, she looks a black type filly in the making.

George Boughey has his team in fine fettle with 11 winners in May and 9 from 33 runners in June already. Hugo Palmer's former assistant spoke favourably about the unraced ex-Shadwell three year old Good Good Good on page 82 of AOTF. Purchased by Sam Haggas for 47,000gns in February, the Blue Point filly made a winning start to her career when taking the six furlongs novice stakes at Yarmouth by three and a quarter lengths. Held up early on, Billy Loughnane's mount quickened up and won going away. She looks a decent filly in the making.

I will be back to update the Diary over the weekend following a trip to York on Friday, where I will endeavour to pick up a few more clues for Royal Ascot. Please head to the Publications section to order your copy of the Royal Ascot Update, if you haven't already done so.