Stomp can stamp his authority on Coral Sprint rivals

Trainer Roger Charlton holds a strong hand in today’s coral.co.uk Sprint Trophy at Newmarket (3.30), and his highly progressive Stomp looks to have major claims of landing the hat-trick.

The son of Nayef hinted at ability in four runs as a juvenile last season without getting his head in front, and has improved out of all recognition since being gelded over the winter.

After running out the comfortable two length winner of a 6f handicap on soft ground at Windsor on his seasonal reappearance, Stomp defied a 6lb rise in the weights when running out the ready winner of a 6f contest at Lingfield.

The son of Nayef travelled strongly and showed a useful turn of foot to score with far more in hand than the winning margin of 1 1/2 lengths suggest in the latter, and is clearly on a serious upward curve.

Although Stomp now has to contend with a further 8lb rise, that is partly offset by jockey Joey Hayens’ 5lb claim and is unlikely to stop him going in again.

The three-year-old has a similar profile to his half-sister Mince who won this race a couple of seasons ago, and like her Stomp can take this en route to better things.

Charlton also saddles Stars Above Me, who shaped with bags of promise on her seasonal reappearance when chasing home Nova Champ at this venue.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel look sure to come on for the run and now meets the winner on 4lb better terms for a 3/4 of a length beating.

That should be enough for Stars Above Me to turn the tables, and the filly looks a worthy opponent to her stable companion.

Another progressive sort worth considering is Fear Of Favour.

The Clive Cox trained son of Haatef has won two of his four starts, and scored with a bit up his sleeve at Bath last month.

The handicapper has hit Fear Or Favour with a 6lb rise for that success, but he looks the type who has plenty more to offer and should be up to making his presence felt despite being this race representing a significant step up in class.