From his studies, Paul Ferguson brings us 10 horses to follow and look out for during the flat season. Here we look at the first 5…
Canford Cliffs (Richard Hannon)
Developed into a top-class 3-y-o miler last term and will probably be very tough to beat in that division this season.
Likely to start the season in the Lockinge at Newbury next weekend, the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot is also likely to be on the agenda, after which he could be aimed at the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Carlton House (Sir Michael Stoute)
A wide margin Newbury maiden winner in October, he is now second-favourite to give The Queen a Derby winner in the year of the Royal Wedding.
Sir Michael Stoute’s colt has been subject to some positive gallop reports of late and he is set to reappear in the Dante at York on Wednesday, after which all roads will lead to Epsom.
If he fails to land a Classic, he looks sure to grab Group race success at some point this term.
Jan Vermeer (A P O’Brien)
Only fourth in the Derby last year and third in the Irish equivalent, but he could well be a top-class 4-y-o if kept to his optimum trip of 1m2f.
The Tattersalls Gold Cup looked the obvious starting point, but So You Think reportedly runs there, so the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot could be his first target of the season.
After that the Coral Eclipse, the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes are all likely targets.
Lyric Street (Luca Cumani)
The only maiden to make this list of horses to follow, the Hurricane Run colt ran a race full of promise on his sole start at two and should have little trouble in getting off the mark when he reappears.
He still holds an entry in the Derby and, while that now seems an unlikely target, it shows the regard in which he is held. The shrewd Luca Cumani is sure to have a nice programme mapped out for him.
Modun (Sir Michael Stoute)
Provided my column with a nice winner at Newbury last month, where he came with a storming late run to get well on top late and win impressively.
The son of King’s Best has been hiked up a stone to 98, which will now make life tougher, but it may not be enough to stop him landing a valuable heritage handicap before he is forced in to Listed and Group company.
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