Ten To Follow Update - Half-way through the Season

We are currently half-way through our Flat Ten To Follow competition and it has been a great season so far. As usual Royal Ascot did not disappoint with were some memorable wins for Eve Johnson Houghton with Accidental Agent in the Queen Anne and Coventry superstar Calyx and some surprises including Cracksman being dominated by Poet's Word in the Prince Of Wales. The race of the week was undoubtedly the Ascot Gold Cup where Stradivarius held off challenges from Torcedor and Vazirabad but the performance of the week came from Alpha Centauri in a record-breaking performance in the Coronation Stakes.

We then headed to Sandown for the Coral-Eclipse where there was a Derby rematch between Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion. Roaring Lion managed to prevail in a scintillating finish to give Oisin Murphy his first Group 1. The meetings come thick and fast in the summer and a week later we headed east to Newmarket for the Darley July Cup. U S Navy Flag relished the drop back to 6f as he popped out in front and never looked like getting caught. 

July ended with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. The market was dominated by the Sir Michael Stoute pair of Poet's Word and Crystal Ocean and this duo delivered an epic finish. Crystal Ocean was always up with the pace and took up the lead two furlongs from home. He looked to have stolen a couple of lengths before Poet's Word delivered his challenge. In the last 75 yards Poet's Word gradually wore down Crystal Ocean and won by a neck giving Sir Michael a record sixth win in the race. 

Finally we have just been treated to another Glorious week at Goodwood. Tuesday started off with a bang, with all eyes on Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup. He needed to win to get one step closer to the £1 million Stayers bonus put up by Weatherbys Hamilton and he did not disappoint. Wednesday was Qatar Sussex Stakes day where Lighting Spear finally won a Group 1 for the sponsors Qatar Racing. He has frequently been touched off at the highest level and it was credit to the horse for getting his head in front. The feature of Friday, King George Qatar Stakes, brought the performance of the week from Battaash. He popped out of the gates well and raced in the centre before switching left after a furlong to join the main group. He took up the lead travelling strongly two furlongs out before quickening clear in the final furlong, running out a four length winner.

Currently David Marshall has his nose in front with Michael Moysey and Gail Garbutt snapping at his heels. There is a long way to go and ample of opportunities to pick up those valuable bonus points in the Juddmonte International, 32 Red Sprint Cup, St Leger and QIPCO British Champions Day. 

The full leaderboard can be found here.