Inside The Notebook – Week 1 25/11/2016

The start of a new feature at myracing.com, giving a look inside the eyecatchers notebook.  Horses find themselves within these pages for a number of reasons.  Some will be those who look winners next time out. others longer term prospects, some who got no luck in running.  A question we are asked often on social media is “How did you pick that?” in answer, this new weekly article will show you the thought process behind those we are keeping an eye on so let’s get stuck into the last week.

FRIDAY

• Secret Investor – Looked as if he would come on for the run when walking round the Ascot paddock and having travelled well faded late on. Should have no trouble winning a novice hurdle sooner rather than later.
• Sharp Defence – Missed the kick and ran green at Dundalk but rattled home down the outside to narrowly miss out. A step back up to seven furlongs, coupled with learning from this experience should allow him to break the duck next time.
• Royal Claret – A tongue tie on debut normally catches the eye for all the wrong reasons but Tom Symonds filly looks a nice recruit. Her dam won over 3 miles at Ffos Las and given the way she stayed on into 4th from a poor 9th turning for home, stamina looks her daughter’s strong suit too.
• Our Dancing Dandy – Hurdling debutante was always on the back foot after a mistake down the back straight. Yard are on the cold list at the moment but will find far easier novices than this in the North when yard are back firing.

SATURDAY

• Glen Forsa – Took a little while for the penny to drop when asked to go and win his race but when it did, the response was smart. Travelled well into the race and looks the type to relish a bit of cut, he is worth following.
• Ebtkaar – Very green early on debut, being shoved along at the back after just a furlong. Gradually warmed up and was noted keeping on stoutly at the finish. A similar maiden over 10f is there for the taking.

SUNDAY

• Magnus Romeo – On an Exeter card where it favoured being up with the pace, Johnny Farrelly’s horse was noted staying on well into 3rd in the closing race. He looks like he’s on a fair mark and can build on this next time.

WEDNESDAY

• Fivetwoeight – Solid debut after missing the kick, getting tucked in and having to find room to challenge. The race didn’t look all that deep but there looks plenty enough ability to go two better next time.
• Shahabad – A fine debut when splitting 70 and 75 rated fillies, she has evidently taken time to come to herself. From a wide draw, she had to use a little up to gain a position before running a little green under pressure. Promises to stay further on pedigree with a maiden looking a formality on this display.

THURSDAY

• Solent Meads – Made up a lot of ground from the back at Chelmsford over a mile. Second to last turning in but 4th at the line, pedigree suggests a step up in trip would suit as did the way he stayed on here, potentially of interest in 2 runs time on handicap debut in a 0-75.
• Angel In Disguise – Missed the start then bustled up to go handy 4 wide early on at Chelmsford. Still 3 wide turning for home and faded, needs one more run for a mark, likely to do better in handicaps and had been backed at big odds on debut.
• Louis’ Vac Pouch – Step back down to 2 miles looked the right move plus the fitting of a hood. Looked a smart enough novice hurdle by Taunton standards and he wasn’t knocked about at the finish, one more run for a mark then handicaps but he could well win a maiden next time out.
• Wild Ginger – Well beaten off on all 3 hurdles starts, quickly outpaced when the tempo is raised, he should do far better in a small 0-100 now that he will be handicapped. On breeding a step up to 3 miles should help and it would be no surprise to see him much improved next time out.