2 out of 2 for Top 40

While things didn't go to plan for the Top 40 in Ahead On The Flat on Friday, the same section had a much more profitable afternoon on Saturday with a double at Haydock Park. Ravenspire had impressed when winning comfortably on his debut at Southwell last month and Karl Burke's colt made it two out of two when defying a penalty in the opening twelve furlongs novice stakes. Having come under pressure towards the end of the backstraight, the son of Sea The Stars responded generously to lead over furlong out. Pushed clear to win by two lengths from stablemate Poker, he will be even better on slower ground and when racing over further. Entered in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York, that is unlikely to be on the agenda and he could be one for the Group 2 Queen's Vase Stakes at Royal Ascot (17th June). The St Leger at Doncaster could be a realistic long-term target.

Over half an hour later, Symbol of Majesty also made it two out of two when staying on stoutly to win the fillies' novice stakes over a mile. The John & Thady Gosden trained runner had come from a long way back to win on her debut at Chelmsford last backend. Much more streetwise on this occasion, William Buick's mount would have preferred a stronger gallop and had to be kept up to her work to fend off the challenge of Chimes of Thunder, who shaped well on her first run for William Haggas. A neck scorer, it will be interesting to see what mark the daughter of New Bay is allocated. On pedigree, she will be even better over further. 

Stablemate Superior Choice (100/30) is featured in the Maidens In Waiting section in AOTF and he confirmed the promise he showed on his racecourse bow at Newmarket last Autumn by winning the ten furlongs maiden at Leicester. Bought for 1,100,000gns as a yearling, the well bred son of Dubawi picked up well before stretching away to register a two lengths win with four and a half lengths back to the third. He looks a nice prospect and the sort to win a valuable three year old handicap at least this summer.