A new weekly feature where I have dissected the weeks action and picked out horses that caught my attention over the last week.
A new weekly feature where I have dissected the weeks action and picked out horses that caught my attention over the last week and are ones that I would be advising to enter your tracker for future races.
Some weeks there may be one or two, others there could be much more but any horse in here is one that will be on my radar moving forward and I’ll even try and give you an indication of the race type or eventual target should I feel the horses is being prepared for a given day.
As the inaugural column there is going to be a little more “bang for your buck” with a few that already sit in my tracker but are yet to be seen this season.
Horse 1: Pavilion End
Trainer: Charles O'Brien
Notes: A very eye catching run at Punchestown when not put into the race and sent off at 125/1. He made really smooth headway and stayed on to be 5th and wasn’t asked for a full effort whatsoever.
He was given a hands and heels ride but hit the line strong. He’s now had 3 runs over hurdles and will get a mark.
When is he a bet: Worth keeping an eye on him for low class handicaps. More than capable of winning based on the run from that effort at Punchestown. Perhaps second time up in a handicap will be the day to catch him.
Horse 2: Torps
Trainer: Eric McNamara
Notes: A real eye catcher for me two stars ago when finishing third and staying on extremely well having not been particularly prominent during the race and was evidently not there to participate at the business end.
He has subsequently lined up in another Maiden Hurdle finishing second but as and when he is stepped up in trip and introduced into handicap company, he could be of real Interest for this shrewd operation.
When is he a bet: One for handicap company when stepped up in trip although he could have the capability of winning over the 2 miles if placed correctly.
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Horse 3: Country Mile
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Notes: One that won’t have gone under any radar after many, including myself were very bullish about him across social media prior to the weekend. However, I did anticipate a better performance over fences than the first day when seen at Uttoxeter but he does seem prone to a couple of jumping errors over fences. Off his current mark over both obstacles he would be of interest for later in the season whether that be for the Grand Annual or reverting back to hurdles and being aimed at the County Hurdle.
Dan Skelton has suggested that Fortune Der Mer will be their horse for the County Hurdle and given they are in the same ownership, I assume that they will persist over fences with Country Mile. It is debatable as to whether he was going to pick up the Winner at Cheltenham on the weekend when travelling into that race extremely well but I would keep him on your radar for any big pot handicaps later in the season.
When is he a bet: Big pot handicap chases later in the season.
Horse 4: Feel The Need
Trainer: Michael Herrington
Notes: A horse that I’ve had some nice wins off in the last couple of years. Connections clearly aim him at particular days and he’s getting back to a winning mark (just 1lb higher)
He is a strong traveller but his latest effort from the weekend would suggest he wasn’t on a going day. Daylight was available up the running rail but was switched back inside onto heels and finished out his race tamely.
When is he a bet: Waiting for the day and may have to take a chance but market support would be an indication and he won in the autumn of last year on the all weather.
