GO COSMIC NEXT YEAR

Andy Ayres shares his pick of punting prospects from the autumn action

- Andy Ayres

SANDOWN September 18 (good) 1m two-year-old maiden (Class 4) Useful form

SWORD OF WESSEX (Charlie Fellowes) cost a wallet wincing 350,000gns and left his debut effort behind to finish second. He’s going the right way physically and will win races if connections don’t shoot for the stars. CASPIAN KING (David Menuisier) still looks raw and caught the eye staying on into fifth. This didn’t look like D-Day, and he will come into his own in run-ofthe-mill handicaps. 7f two-year-old novice (Class 4) Impressive winner COSMIC YEAR (Harry Charlton) set tongues wagging after some impressive work on the gallops and was well-backed near the off (4s to 5-2). He justified that support without turning a hair and looks every inch a Group horse. Oisin Murphy has made positive noises about the 2,000 Guineas, so stick his name on page one of your notebook.

NEWBURY September 21 (Heavy) 6f two-year-old Group 2 (Class 1) Smart form

POWERFUL GLORY (Richard Fahey) has got muscles on his eyebrows and won this despite looking all at sea on the ground. He isn’t guaranteed to stay a mile, but connections are adamant this is a Group 1 performer, so the Commonwealth Cup could be on his bucket-list next summer.

FONTWELL September 24 (good-soft) 2m1f110y handicap hurdle (Class 4) Fair form

GARDENER (Olly Murphy) usually makes the running but was allowed to dawdle round at the back on his first start for five months. He’ll strip much fitter next time and would be worth a second look in a low-grade handicap chase.

2m1f110 novices’ handicap hurdle (Class 5) Poor contest

MARTIN SPIRIT (Adam West) looked razor sharp but blew his chance by setting off like Usain Bolt’s pacemaker. He finished legless in fifth but is more than good enough to nick a weak handicap on a gaff track.

KEMPTON September 25 (standard to slow) 7f handicap (Class 4) Competitive heat