Top 40 winner Crown of Oaks (5/1)

Calandagan atoned for his narrow defeat in the Group 1 Qipco Champions Stakes at Ascot twelve months ago by claiming some notable scalps in the 2025 version. Francis Graffard's four year old was gaining his third victory at the highest level as he proved two and a quarter lengths too strong for Ombudsman under Mickael Barzalona. Making good headway on the outside early in the homestraight, the Gleneagles gelding led over a furlong out before staying on well. Its hard to believe there were plenty in the press who were questioning his resolution following his narrow defeat in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June. Since then, the French raider has added the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, King George and Champions Stakes to his glittering CV. While it can be argued Ombudsman's wide draw (stall 9) didn't do him any favours and it resulted in William Buick's mount being further back than ideal, he had every chance inside in the homestraight but was unable to peg back a top-class opponent. At least he confirmed his authority over old rival Delacroix. 

Estrange ran a gallant race in second in the Group 1 Fillies & Mares Stakes behind Kalpana, who was claiming the prize for a second consecutive year. Once again, David O'Meara's runner wasn't the best positioned on the rail and allowed Andrew Balding's winner to get first run. Beaten two and a half lengths, the grey probably would have finished closer with a clearer run but it is hard to believe it cost her victory.

Thankfully, the Top 40 was amongst the winners at Ascot with Crown of Oaks (5/1) claiming his third win of the campaign in the concluding Balmoral Handicap. Given an inspired front running ride by Tom Marquand, the three year old made all the running before digging deep to fend off the late challengers to prevail by a neck. The son of Wootton Bassett has always been highly regarded and has improved since gelded during the summer. Successful at Ayr and Ascot, he has Pattern race potential next year.

Thank you to the client who emailed following Powerful Glory's win in the Group 1 Qipco Champions Sprint Stakes at 200/1. Jamie Spencer was seen at his best aboard Richard Fahey's three year old who had been bitterly disappointing in his two previous starts this year. A Group 2 winning juvenile, the Cotai Glory colt received a positive mention in the Appendix in Ahead On The Flat.

One Jump Ahead also had a productive afternoon on Saturday with Talk The Talk (9/4) scoring on his first run for Joseph O'Brien at Limerick. Featured in the Stable Switchers section, the four year old finished runner-up in the valuable Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper at Newbury last spring when handled by Stuart Crawford. Transferred to O'Brien during the summer, he stayed on well after the last to claim a length win in the two miles maiden hurdle.

All orders received for One Jump Ahead on Friday and over the weekend will be posted on Monday morning. Thank you to those who have ordered - we now have less than 100 copies in stock. If you haven't order a copy, or the Updates, please head to the Publications section of the site.