Thistle Ask proving a bargain buy

Featured in the Stable Switchers section of One Jump Ahead, Thistle Ask has justified his inclusion already with two quick fire wins for Dan Skelton. Bought out of James Ewart's yard for 11,000gns at the Goffs UK Spring Sale in May, the eight year old was a seven lengths winner of a competitive two miles handicap chase at Kelso last Saturday off a mark of 115. Stepped up in trip six days later at Wetherby on Friday, he pocketed another decent prize under his penalty. Always to the fore, he was still on the bridle in the homestraight before stretching clear after the second last. A seven and a half lengths victor under Tristan Durrell, the Ask gelding has already earned in excess of £35,000 in prize-money in less than a week. Lightly raced over fences, he has more to offer and has proved a shrewd acquistion.

Switching codes, we may be in the dying embers of the Flat turf season but First Principle (9/2) provided the Top 40 in Ahead On The Flat with another winner at Southwell on Friday evening. The son of Kingman was having his first start since being gelded and he stayed on strongly to win the one mile handicap off a mark of 88. He should make a useful four year old next term.