Inside The Notebook – Week 4 20/12/2016

Week 4 of ‘Inside The Notebook’, the last one before the Christmas period. It is mainly one for the future with plenty of horses showing up well in maidens who are well worth noting once they are running in handicaps. So lets open the book once again, flick through the well worn pages and pick out those who have caught out eye during the last week.

Tuesday 13/12/16

Artiste Du Gouet – Only an ordinary type with a lowly rating, but having stayed on well over 2 miles the time before this he was picked off late over 2m6f. Did well given an overly aggressive ride in a race where the first three home were all held up, there should be a small 2m4f handicap in him.

Wednesday 14/12/16

Footman – Looked a little unlucky on debut and didn’t get a clear run at Kempton last week either. This was his second start in just eight days so it probably came quick enough, one more run for a handicap mark which would make him interesting.

Flood Warning – Well related (a full sister to Royal Ascot Listed winner Moneycantbuymelove) she did everything wrong on debut, picking a few off late when finishing 5th. The 4th makes the form look weak on paper but she’s likely better than this and will be of interest in handicaps.

Shrewd Tactics – Travelled well for a long way in a warm looking Newbury novice hurdle. A point to point scorer in Ireland he is another one in this week’s notebook who will be interesting after one more run for a mark.

Thursday 15/12/16

Tacenda – Stepped straight up from a sole bumper run to fences, missing hurdles out completely. Ran really well in a decent looking mares chase behind a good type in Tagrita. She is only 4 years old and worth keeping on side to reward connections sooner rather than later. Her age will allow her plenty of weight for age allowances and she should be capable of taking full advantage.

Sideways – Picked them off steadily from the back in a staying novice hurdle without being unduly knocked about when he had no chance of making an impression on the placed horses. Needs one more run for a mark and the winner of that Exeter contest looks a well above average recruit for Paul Nicholls. He strikes as the type who can pick up deep ground staying handicaps over the winter.

Friday 16/12/16

Lovenormoney – 4th in a strong looking Ascot novice, staying on well all the way to the line. Most from the yard are needing their first run of the season so he is entitled to come on plenty for the experience and he should pick up a novice next time out.

Alfonso Manana – Well supported in the market, supporters missed out on the each way money by a short head. Looked green under pressure, hanging left and is capable of better after just 2 starts.

Sunday 18/12/16

Third Estate – Probably not suited to such a sharp track when 2nd to a potentially smart recruit on hurdling debut at Fakenham. Yard know the time of day with their horses, looks a likely maiden winner next time before stepping up in trip for handicaps in due course.