Mike Francis says Alpha Centauri is different class

Mike Francis rates the flying filly very highly

THERE’S no doubt about the best performance in our most recent set of speed figures. It came from ALPHA CENTAURI when she clocked up 125 in taking the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot just after our last edition went to press.

She’s much the best three-year-old filly around and may put her ahead of the colts too. She followed up by taking the Falmouth Stakes hard held and that’s why that effort doesn’t register in the top performances on the clock.

It’s hard to see her colours being lowere wherever she heads next, with a trip to France reportedly on the agenda for the Prix Jacques le Marois.

As you might expect, the final days of the Royal meeting make up all of our top 10. Just outside there we had a particularly taking effort on the clock from a newcomer at Newbury.

Room To Improve was impressive in scoring despite being sent off at 33-1. While the figure of 111 may be a little high, only time will tell and trainer David Evans looks to have a really nice prospect who should stay a mile.

It can pay to follow horses that clock fast times as less glamorous tracks because they are often under-estimated when they take a step up in class.

SHAYBANI is another juvenile who seems to be improving fast. He followed a respectable effort at Royal Ascot with a game win at Chepstow on July 3. On the face of it the form doesn’t look anything special but 109 is good as he can hold his own stepped up in grade.

CROSS COUNTER could be more than a handicapper judged by the way he won at Ascot on July 14.

He missed the kick and showed good pace to pick up his rivals and win going away for a rating of 109. He gives the impression that there’s a lot more to come and a step into pattern company looks on the cards.