A much shorter than normal column this week, only three horse racing eyecatchers, as I am in the process of moving house which has had to take priority. There is no weekend review but if you are an Eycatcher Pro subscriber you would have been delighted with the win of the The Young Master in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday at a very juicy 8/1.
On Monday another eyecatcher won at Naas when St Brelades Bay won at 12/1. This is what I wrote about the Jessica Harrington runner after his seasonal reappearance at the Curragh on the opening day of the Irish Flat Turf season:
“The four year old had caught my eye on his first start for the trainer in a handicap at the Curragh last August but didn’t really improve as much I had expected on his next three starts in the autumn. Didn’t get the clearest of runs here inside the final furlong when making his effort and was beaten about 2 lengths into 7th at the finish. Is entitled to come on for the run and given his sole win has come on good ground he could be interesting one for a sprint handicap on better ground. Clearly has ability and has only had 10 career starts so he is relatively lightly raced for his age”
The horse got good ground that I was waiting for him to run on and he was given a very positive ride by his jockey rather than being held up. Once again the power of using a notebook is highlighted by the horses win!
If you are an Eyecatcher Pro subscriber I will be putting up some selections on the system for Punchestown which starts today.
Looking at this weeks eyecatchers:
Wednesday April 20th
Epsom
Elbereth – Andrew Balding – The four year old could only finish 5th on her seasonal reappearance in the 1m 2f City & Suburban Handicap. The C&D winner looked like she found the soft going to tough for her. A progressive filly last year, her trainer had been very positive about here in a recent Racing Post Stable Tour believing she had improved over the winter and was capable of winning in listed company. Well worth another chance on better ground.
Saturday 23rd April
Haydock
Lincoln – Mike Channon – The five year old had been gelded over the winter and was travelling nicely on the inside but got absolutely no sort of run at the two furlong mark and by the time he did find space the race was over and his jockey wasn’t too hard on the horse at the finish. This run is best forgiven. Had finished 3rd in the corresponding race last year before finishing an excellent 2nd in the Victoria Cup at Ascot on his next start. That race looks likely to be his target again and he looks a nicely handicapped horse on the best of his form from last spring.
Midnight Macchiato – David Brown – Trainer has made a good start to the new turf season and his runner here was well backed before the race to give him another winner. The three year old had won on his second start at Thirsk last August before disappointing at Ripon on his next start. Was highly regarded last season by his trainer and this was his first start since the Ripon run back in September. Was held up at the back and made good headway a furlong out and was staying on best of all at the finish to take 3rd. A mark of 73 looks very workable and he will be placed to win a handicap or two in the coming months I am sure of that.
Next week normal service will resume and I will be taking a detailed look at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting.
All that’s left is to wish you a profitable weeks betting.
