Nothing to stall Faylaq progress

Haggas’ colt can take step up to Group class in his stride

FAYLAQ can take the step up in class in his stride in Ascot’s Property Raceday Targets £3M Cumberland Lodge Stakes.

William Haggas’ three-year-old tries Group class for the first time today, having improved most significantly in handicap company over the summer.

Faylaq has justified favouritism in three of his last four starts, failing only when second – in receipt of 7lb – to subsequent Group performer Floating Artist at Ascot in July.

He resumed his upward curve last time, with an emphatic win on the allweather at Kempton, and has risen almost two and a half stones in the ratings in the space of four races over as many months.

After only seven career starts in all, the beautifully-bred colt clearly has potential to continue his swift progress.

The John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes is a second Group Three on the card, and DONJUAN TRIUMPHANT catches the eye on his favoured soft surface.

Andrew Balding resisted an Ayr Gold Cup bid on account of quick ground last month, and with fit-again Silvestre De Sousa back in the saddle, Donjuan Triumphant can prove his worth as conditions change at what has often been his time of year.

FOREST BIHAN went through last season without a victory, but Brian Ellison’s charge can get his new campaign off to the best possible start at Kelso tomorrow.

The eight-year-old, who last graced the winner’s enclosure in March 2018, was set some stiff tasks last term.

He was not disgraced in third place in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, but it set the tone for the winter, with his best effort arguably coming in the Grand Annual Chase at the Festival in March, when he was fourth behind Croco Bay.