Inside The Notebook – Week 12 14/02/2017

Hard to believe that we are almost three months into this feature now with one of the success stories, Cobolobo almost following up his 16/1 win at Chepstow last month at 7/1 at Plumpton on Monday. He is certainly still one to follow as this cracking looker is very much a three mile chaser of the future. There were five who caught the eye this week with most of them types who are likely to progress well as we continue though 2017 and beyond.

Deep Dream

Well supported in the morning despite having to give almost a stone to the rest of the field as weight for age allowance, it was easy to see why we have witnessed the four year old on the track just once up until now. She still looked very green and gawky when put under pressure and is well worth upgrading on this effort. She is in the right hands to get her handicapped next month before going to work off a feasible mark once the turf season kicks into gear properly in April. A half sister to French Group 1 winner Havana Gold, she looks capable of much better in time once the penny drops.

Schnabel

Dropped down to two miles for his third and final novice hurdle looking for a mark, he travelled well before unsurprisingly getting outpaced. His half brother Oscar’s Ballad is a three mile winner and this kind of trip is likely to suit in time. David Dennis does well with this type of horse, learning their trade in novices to give them a good base to build upon in handicaps. While a mark of 110 is no penalty kick once he embarks on handicaps, he has shown steady progression and it is by no means harsh given the step up in trip that is likely to suit.

River Bray

Very well supported late on in Kempton’s concluding bumper, he ran a race full of promise. He was a long way back turning for home but really caught the eye, picking them off one by one up the straight into 4th. He is in excellent hands with Victor Dartnell who places his horses well. His grand dam was half sister to Crowded House who was 2nd in the 1992 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and on breeding it is likely to be around this two mile trip that this horse makes his mark. Given that most bumpers are full of stayers of the future it would be rather disappointing if he didn’t have the pace to win one of these.

Kaiser Black

Appreciated the step back up to two and a half miles at Naas when staying on all the way up the hill into 4th in what looked a fair maiden hurdle. His pedigree screams three mile chaser of the future and in fact he has already been successful over that trip in a point to point. He should get a handicap mark now which will see him in a better light especially if allowed to step up in trip next time. He is more of a long term eyecatcher but should pay his keep over hurdles in the meantime.

Moneystown

Well beaten off at the end of the two mile opener at Plumpton on Monday afternoon but it was before the race that she took the eye. She is a cracking looking mare with plenty of size and scope who is going to be a staying chaser of the future. She won a point to point at Ballinaboola in November before joining the Linda Jewell yard who are not exactly a hotbed for novice hurdle winners! The Kent trainer knows her way into the winners enclosure however and with a pair of soft ground two mile hurdles down, one more will get this mare a mark. A step up to further and onto better ground will see her in a better light and a handicap at Fontwell or Plumpton this autumn would look a likely target