Matsuri another high-class prospect for Top 40

It was great to see Fallen Angel win the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh for Karl Burke and Danny Tudhope on Sunday. Last season's Moyglare Stud Stakes winner, who finished eighth in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, appreciated the rain softened ground and, having raced handily throughout, stayed on strongly to win by two and three quarters of a length. Connections now have the option of remaining over a mile and lining up in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot or stepping up to ten furlongs and contesting the Prix Du Diane at Chantilly (16th June). 

Less than an hour earlier, Karl Burke also sent out Darnation to win the German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf. Similar to her stablemate, the daughter of Too Darn Hot had struggled on the faster ground on the Rowley Mile and relished the easier underfoot conditions on the continent. A two and a quarter lengths scorer, her victory rounded off a memorable afternoon for the Spigot Lodge Stables outfit.

The Top 40 entry Matsuri (11/10) was a most impressive winner on his belated reappearance at Leicester on Bank Holiday Monday. Roger Varian hasn't hidden his regard for the son of Sea The Stars and he made short work of his eight rivals in the ten furlongs novice stakes. Sporting a hood for the first time, he was kept wide early on by James Doyle before slotting in behind the leader leaving the backstraight. Leading before the furlong marker, he quickened away to register an eight lengths win. Entered in the Irish Derby, he looks tailormade for the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot (20th June) next month.

I was working at Redcar on Monday and it was good to catch up with a few people including a few trainers who passed on news regarding some unraced two year olds to watch out for in the coming weeks - their views will be included in the Royal Ascot Update. If you haven't ordered your copy, please head to the Publications section of the site.