Inside The Notebook – Week 8 16/01/2017

Another week has gone by in a flash and we find ourselves three weeks removed from the King George! It’s been another decent week of racing with plenty of horses making the notebook so let’s get stuck into the eyecatchers.

• Quids In – Unlucky to run into a Tony Martin raider at Hereford, he was a clear 2nd best for up and coming trainer Oliver Greenall. He has shaped well in both hurdles starts and should go close to breaking his duck in a final novice before heading down the handicap route.
• Highway Robber – Back down to his winning mark at the same trip, he came in for market support at Newcastle. A two length runner up was his best run since mid August, there is a small handicap in him this winter over 10f.
• Earth Lady – Looked a decent contest at Taunton that she was 5th in behind Bags Groove. Her breeding suggests that three miles will be her trip and she caught the eye staying on over a sharp 19f here. She should find significant improvement in handicaps when given a test of stamina.

• Roxyfet – Enjoyed a very profitable campaign last season but has struggled to find much form this time around. He shaped well enough at Catterick in a 0-130 given that his handicap mark will now allow him into a 0-110! He likes Catterick and Sedgefield and a return to a lower grade and softer ground can see him get his head back in front.
• Whatmore – Held up in a race won by a smart looking Nicky Henderson recruit who had made all the running. A step up in trip looks sure to suit, this was a very promising hurdling debut, he should go one better next time.

• Secret Memories – One of two newcomers in a 14 runner maiden finishing 5th. (the other was last.) The race went to an all the way winner while she missed the kick and was always on the back foot from there. She stayed on well to grab 6th and hopefully the education won’t be lost on her next time.
• Athletic – Never the most consistent for Andrew Reid but a solid handicapper on his day. Money came for him on his first start for David Evans and a much improved display was forthcoming. He is very well treated on his best so new connections could pick up a win or two in coming weeks.

• Whosyourhousemate – It would be easy to put up the Frankel horse as a likely next time winner here but there was only one to make up any ground from off the pace and that was the Ed Vaughan trained Whosyourhousemate. A longer trip will suit on his dam line and he can build on this next time.
• Deeley’s Double – Shaped well in a pair of maidens and will now have a handicap mark. He will have faced a stiff task giving weight for age to Boost at Wolverhampton but is in good hands to make an impact in class 5 and 6 handicaps this all weather season.

15/01/17

• Kings Eclipse – We were strongly against him in our Kelso preview as his worst run had come on soft ground in point to points. He travelled like a dream here before struggling against two dour stayers up the hill from the last. He deserves a chance back on better ground to confirm this impression.