A list of horses that caught my eye during the recent weeks of racing. Find all previous lists here.
Thaki
08/05/23 – 8.45 Newcastle:
Drawn away from the pace, awkward start, trailed and had a wall of horses to pass over two furlongs out. Picked his way through to field as he quickened nicely, before getting quite tired in the final furlong.
Ran well prior at Ayr as well in a good race where the winner was well-handicapped. Not the best starter. Won off 67 on the All-Weather and a neck beaten off 65 back in March. Ran well nto in hot class 4 race as well, but possibly not quite up to that level.
Down to 63 on a good mark. Has scope on turf, especially on decent ground placed 4 of 6 and may be underestimated there without a W on turf yet, though.
Ticket To Alaska
08/05/23 – 5.20 Southwell:
Crossed over quickly from a wide draw to lead, although always pestered and pressured. Travelled well but ultimately beaten by a well-handicapped winner from off the pace.
Two good runs since return from a break. Showed promise as a juvenile, ran to 63 speed rating. Doubtful that he stays beyond 7 furlongs. Full-brother did his best work over 6f and won over the minimum trip as well.
Possibly scope for some improvement if he drops in trip, on fast ground on turf. In other circumstances probably found his ceiling.
Basholo
08/05/23 – 2.25 Ayr:
Led the field on far side. Was going well until 2f out, under pressure fought gamely all the way to the line, just tired in the closing stages.
Down to career-lowest mark. Bit unlucky lto. In excellent form. Poor record 1/20. Probably best over 5f, but 6f on fast ground not impossible.
Didn’t get home over 6f at stiff Hamilton when seen next time after going hard following a hot pace.
Winforglory
13/05/23 – 1.50 Lingfield:
Tracked hot early pace. Did way too much too soon and also quite keen. Impressive how he was still able to kick on and challenge for the win, less than two lengths beaten in 3rd eventually.
Bit unfortunate lto at Chelmsford. Strong run there too. Ran 75 speed rating here, which was also a hot race for the grade. May not stay a mile, but looks clearly capable to win off current mark and should be some pounds better.
Swiss Pride
13/05/23 – 4.10 Lingfield:
Settled off the pace, which was a disadvantage. Had loads to do 3f out and finished wide. Came home much the strongest, the only one who ran sub 12s the final furlong.
Must be in good form now. Down to sexy mark. Would be really interesting on fast turf as he may be underestimated there due to his record. However he runs well in those conditions, now 11lb lower than when last seen on turf.
Malham Tarn Cove
13/05/23 – 6.40 Leicester:
Travelled quite well for a long time. Solid progress from 2f out, challenged the long-term leader. Got pretty tired in the final furlong.
Probably strong form and run due to the winner and second. Left on the same mark. Interesting on better ground. Dam did all her best work on soft but sire was tp-class on fast. He doesn’t seem to have a high knee action.
If the ground can bring out improvement he’ll be well-handicapped. Wouldn’t rule out a drop in trip either.
Azure Angel
15/05/23 – 7.05 Windsor:
Tracked the honest pace. Travelled strongly and good progress to hit the front over one furlong out. Tired in the closing stages.
Comeback run. Probably needed it. Also may prefer better ground. Very impressive when last seen as a juvenile. Clocked strong speed rating. 6f may be her optimum.
Imperial Khan
15/05/23 – 2.50 Catterick:
Tracked the pace throughout. Was going well and looked like coming with a big challenge from 2f out. Jockey seemed to keep waiting and waiting before asking for all, riding hands and heels. Suddenly it was too late as things became really tight in the final furlong and the horse was squeezed out.
With a clear run would have gone seriously close. Has been dropped 2lb in the meantime. Down to a career-lowest and obvious interest the next time.
John Kirkup
15/05/23 – 4.20 Catterick:
Tracked leaders against the inside rail where it became a bit tight around the bend which impeded him somewhat. Kept up to his work but didn’t find a gap to go through.
Third run off a break. Clearly in form. Down to excellent mark. Ran fine speed ratings last autumn. 5f with cut in the ground ideal, but stays 6f and acts on better ground as well.
Ran well nto in the meantime but conditions not totally to suit and bumped into a well-handicapped winner.
The Muffin Man
16/05/23 – 6.00 Wetherby:
Not the sharpest at the start from a wide draw, a bit impeded soon after. Outpaced early on, travelled well of the pace. Good progress in the home straight although not the clearest run until late.
Clearly needs to move up to 1m as pedigree suggests as well. Ran twice the trip before and was unfortunate. Still lightly raced.
Golden Rainbow
16/05/23 – 7.30 Wetherby:
Tracked the pace closely in second place. Challenged leader from over 2f out and possibly ahead at final furlong marker. Horses from further back got the better of him eventually. Strong run and probably strong form.
Had wind operation prior. Down to good 63 mark and can win in possibly slightly less competitive race. Better over 5f and may prefer AW surface but didn’t have too many opportunity over the minimum trip on fast ground, which bay be ideal.
Hail Sezer
16/05/23 – 7.30 Wetherby:
Travelled notably well in midfield. Strong progress in the home straight but was stuck behind horses in front of him. Switched to the inside over 1f out and ran on well.
Can’t be too harshly assessed by the handicapper for this. Not unexposed but won two of his last four and arguably unlucky here in strong race. Clearly able to win off 71, ideally 6f on fast ground.
Bluebell Time
16/05/23 – 2.40 Chepstow:
Tracked the leader closely and eventually made strong move from over 2f out to grab the lead. Only beaten late by horses from further back and more ridden toward the centre/stands’ side.
Strong run and probably good form. Down another 2lb since then. Well-handicapped over the minimum trip now on anything not fast; bonus a bit of cut in the ground.
Makeen
18/05/23 – 6.55 Newmarket:
Traveled strongly behind a wall of horses for much of the race. Waited for room until very late when switched to the inside and ran on easily for third.
Near career-best effort without a clear run. Clearly in peak form. Otherwise not obviously well-handicapped. But interesting if turned out within the next two weeks, ideally on fast ground.
Probably 7f ideal and is then pretty ground independent, but clearly stays a mile too, especially on fast ground if the pace isn’t all out. If he doesn’t return soon under ideal conditions soon, one to keep in mind to see if he can drop a couple of pounds and wait for the money to arrive.
My Mate Mike
18/05/23 – 3.10 Salisbury:
Moved quickly forward to lead, setting a hot pace. Clearly did too much in the first half of the race. Did well to hold on for third.
Strong race and form. Multiple lto winners and horses in strong form in the field. has been given an opportunity by the handicapper as dropped 1lb subsequently. Lightly raced and deserves a chance over 6f.
Red Allure
19/05/23 – 6.15 Hamilton:
Move forward from the outside draw to push the pace. Was there until very late in the day.
Perhaps slightly flattered by the way the race developed but it wasn’t an advantage on the day to go from the low gates. Clear return to form. Dropped a pound for this. Chance given over minimum trip and all ground.
Yellow Lion
20/05/23 – 2.05 Newmarket:
Bit keen early on, travelled strongly throughout but without cover on the outside. Good progress from 3f out to just hit the front over one furlong from home. Tired rapidly.
Handicap debut. Probably needs drop to 6f. Didn’t have many chances on decent ground yet which may be ideal for him.
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