Economics (6/1) another winner for Top 40

Economics had created a favourable impression when winning over a mile on his reappearance at Newbury last month. William Haggas' colt made a seamless transition to Pattern company when trouncing his six opponents in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York on Wednesday. The son of Night of Thunder was held up during the early stages before making his move in the homestraight. Leading two out, he was pushed clear before recording a six lengths victory looking a high-class three year old in the process. Taken out of the Epsom Derby earlier in the year, connections have the option of supplementing him for Flat racing's Blue Riband. Tom Marquand was evidently very impressed and, regardless of whether he heads to Epsom on the 1st June, he is tremendous prospect for the Top 40 Prospects. He holds an entry in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and has every chance of staying twelve furlongs - his dam won over a mile and a half.

Regular readers of AOTF will be fully aware that Bluestocking featured in last year's Top 40. Ralph Beckett's filly ran some terrific races in defeat finishing second in the Irish Oaks and Fillies & Mares' at Ascot on champions day. However, the daughter of Camelot only had a novice stakes win at Salisbury as a juvenile against her name prior to the Group 2 Middleton Stakes. The Juddmonte filly made the perfect start to her four year old career though with a silky smooth victory in the ten furlongs event on the Knavesmire. Given a patient ride, she cruised into contention ranging upsides the front running Sapphire Seas with over a furlong to run. Sauntering clear, she ran out a most emphatic six lengths winner. It will be interesting to see if she is kept to ten furlongs or reverting back to a mile and a half. Cut in the ground appears to be important to Ralph Beckett's four year old - the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh (29th June) would appear an ideal target.

Joe Foley highlighted seven juveniles belonging to Clipper Logistics in Ahead On The Flat (pages 50 & 51) and they included Andesite (7/2) who made a winning start to his career in the six furlongs novice stakes at York. Trained by Karl Burke and a half-brother to the stable's Queen Mary Stakes winner Dramatised, he showed a good attitude to regain the lead having been headed inside the final furlong. A short head winner, he looks Royal Ascot material with the Group 2 Coventry Stakes his likely target.

I am working at Aintree on Friday evening and will therefore update the Diary over the weekend.