We are set for a fabulous Flat season in 2024 and here at GG we are excited to see all the action unfold over the next five months or so. Our man Steve Chambers has picked out his Ten To Follow for the season, when he picks out some potential Classic contenders, as well as some already proven stars that are ready to sparkle once again.
Forest Fairy – Ralph Beckett
With two Oaks victories to his name already, Ralph Beckett has shown he is a master when it comes to fillies and he could have a very exciting three-year-old filly on his hands this season in FOREST FAIRY, who could turn into a Classic contender. Unraced as a juvenile, the daughter of former Arc hero Waldgeist made an impressive debut at Wolverhampton in February, where she stormed to a six-length win. Around a 33/1 chance, at the time of writing, for the Betfred Oaks, Forest Fairy is one that is sure to improve as the season goes on and she has to be one to watch and could be a left-field shout for the fillies’ Classic at Epsom Downs.
Grosvenor Square – Aidan O’Brien
Yet again Aidan O’Brien will have a real embarrassment of riches heading into the Flat season and one that could launch to the forefront of the Ballydoyle team is GROSVENOR SQUARE. The Galileo colt ended last season with a dominant six-length win in the Group 3 Eyresfield Stakes at Leopardstown and the three-year-old could be one for St Leger come the end of the season. Entered in both the Dante Stakes at York and Derby at Epsom, Grosvenor Square may have to play second fiddle to stablemate City Of Troy in the latter of those two iconic races, but he’s one that screams stamina, so a Leger bid at Doncaster is where he could have his day in the sun.
Naqeeb – William Haggas
Progressive in handicaps last season, NAQEEB failed to land a blow when third in the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot at the end of last season, but the half-brother to Baaeed could be one that improves further this year. Prior to that Ascot defeat he saw every yard out of a 1m 6f handicap at Haydock and William Haggas could hope that he may become a Cup horse this season, if the son of Nathaniel can build on last season’s performances.
Flat 10 to Follow – Joe Napier’s Notebook for the Season Ahead
The flat season is fully underway but a large majority of the top level action is still to come. Joe Napier has picked out his ten horses worth following for your money this season, including some who could blossom in Group 1 and handicap company. Night Raider Of this year’s likely 2000 Guineas runners, only…
Tue 23 Apr 2024Beautiful Diamond – Karl Burke
A three-and-a-half length winner on debut at Nottingham, BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND was then sent off favourite for the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she could only finish third. Karl Burke’s filly ended last season with a Listed win at Ayr over five furlongs and the daughter of Twilight Son could be a sprinter to watch this term. She will need to improve to dine at the top table, but could she be Commonwealth Cup bound at Royal Ascot?
Los Angeles – Aidan O’Brien
Aidan O’Brien could have a Ten To Follow of his very own, such is the firepower at his disposal, but the second one to watch from the Ballydoyle yard is LOS ANGELES. Not seen until September last season, where he claimed victory on debut, the son of Camelot then went on to win the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in France. Entered for the Derby at Epsom and the Irish Derby at the Curragh, Los Angeles could be a potential Classic contender, but he’s one that has shown he excels with a bit of cut in the ground, so could he be one to watch when the ground comes up soft.
Time Lock – Harry & Roger Charlton
TIME LOCK appeared to find her best form at the end of last season, as having won a Listed race in France she then stormed to a Group 3 win at Newmarket next time out. A disappointing seventh finish in the Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day ended the season on a downer, but Harry & Roger Charlton’s five-year-old daughter of Frankel could continue to blossom on the track this season and she could be one to watch.
Azure Blue – Michael Dods
A rapid rise through handicaps, AZURE BLUE had her day in the sun when storming to a shock victory in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes for Michael Dods and the five-year-old could be a sprinter to watch again this season. She could only finish mid-division in the July Cup at Newmarket on her last outing, as she looked to tackle Group 1 company for the first time, but while she may not be a top class sprinter she could be a solid option in Group 2 events over five and six furlongs.
Big Rock – Christopher Head
Out of the first two in only one of his 11 career starts under Rules, Christopher Head’s BIG ROCK has been one of the most consistent performers on French soil. She stormed into the limelight in Britain when romping to a six-length victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day and it would be no surprise to see her return to the Berkshire venue in June at a crack at more silverware at the Royal meeting.
Buttons – Aidan O’Brien
The third Aidan O’Brien-trained runner in the list, BUTTONS was only seen twice last year and having won narrowly on debut she finished third in Group 3 company on her last start. However, the Kingman filly is one that could well and truly launch into the picture this season and she holds a whole host of Classic entries and she could prove to be one of Ballydoyle’s leading middle distance performers in the Classic generation.
Courage Mon Ami – John & Thady Gosden
A shock winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2023, COURAGE MON AMI was expected to take the staying division by storm, but he failed to fire on his two starts last season for John & Thady Gosden. It’s a wide open division this season and he will need to recapture some old form, but if the Gosden team can get him firing on all cylinders then the five-year-old Frankel gelding can make waves in the long distance races all season.
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