Not many runners for the column last week although Arctic Feeling was a good winner at Catterick at 8/1 and Beautiful Romance was an excellent third in the Fillies & Mares on Champion’s Day at 20/1. I mentioned in the recent free report the importance of keeping trainer comments about a horses future targets and this is what I wrote after the filly’s win at Windsor in August.
“After the race her trainer stated “she doesn’t like fast ground and will go to Ascot for the filly and mares´ race on Champions Day” She is worth keeping in mind for that race and will be a bet for me if she gets her going and the price is right”
Well the price was certainly right, she got the good to soft going she needed and was certainly worth an each way bet in the race.
I will end with an apology to all. For some reason the William Jarvis trained Nuno Tristan wasn’t entered into the Eyecatcher Pro software and as usually happens in these situations ran at Chelmsford last week and duly won at 10/1. These things do happen but I have now double checked and all the horses are up to date!
Onto the week’s column and at this time of year National Hunt horses are starting to dominate my tracker horses but I also have a two year old from the Aiden O’Brien stable who could go under the radar for next years classics and a horse that can win more races on the all weather this winter. There are an extra four eyecatchers for those of you have subscribed to Eyecatcher Pro.
Sunday 11th October
Curragh
Best In The World – Aiden O’Brien – The trainer has some really top class two year old filly’s in his yard with the likes of Minding and Ballydoyle both high up the ante post betting for next years classics. I was impressed with the win of Best In The World in this Listed mile contest. The juvenile followed up her debut second at Gowran Park with a good win and there is every chance she can do even better than her sister Found over middle distances as a three year old. One for next year and is a best priced 25/1 for next years Epsom Oaks. That race rather than the 1000 Guineas looks her most likely chance of Classic glory next year at this point.
Chepstow
Present View – Jamie Snowdon – Was only 4th on his seasonal reappearance despite going of as favourite. The seven year old is being aimed at the valuable Paddy Power Handicap at Cheltenham next month and this was a fair return to action. Three from seven over fences, including a valuable handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014. He was third in the race last year only beaten a couple of lengths at the finish and comes into this year’s renewal on 2lb higher mark. He jumped really well in last year’s renewal and his trainer felt the soft ground was just against him. If the ground isn’t as testing this year he can go close in the race. A best priced 10/1 for the Paddy Power I think those odds look fair value at this stage. Whatever his fate I think he can win more chases of his present handicap mark.
Wednesday 14th October
Wetherby
Final Assault – Lucinda Russell – A winner of a handicap chase last year at Bangor and starting the season off a 9lb higher mark. This was really promising seasonal reappearance. After being given a really patient hold up ride the six year old was staying on well at the finish to finish a length in 3rd. Both his career wins have come on soft or worse grouind so the ground here would have plenty quick enough for him. He seemed to stay three miles at Ayr in the spring so today’s trip also looked a bit short of his optimum certainly on this sort of ground. There should be another handicap chase or two in him over the winter. Connections seem to think he is better going left handed.
L´Aigle Royal – John Quinn – Travelled strongly for most of the race and looked like he would have to much speed for the eventual winner after the last but had to settle for second at the line. This was a good seasonal reappearance and the four year old was giving a lot of weight to the winner. Still fairly lightly raced over hurdles this was only his 12th start, there should be a decent handicap hurdle in the horse in the coming weeks at around 2m 4f.
Thursday 15th October
Chelmsford
Rich Again – James Bethall – Could only finish 7th but this was a good run with the rest of the winter on the all weather in mind. The six year old is far better horse on the synthetics and is 3lb lower than for his last win in January. Effective over 6f or 7f, this is his time of year and his record between October and January at Wolverhampton, Lingfield & Kempton is excellent – 6 wins/10 bets 60% +25 with 9 places. Five of those wins have come at Wolverhampton but he has won at Lingfield and was a decent third on his only start at Kempton. His all weather record before this Chelmsford run was 5121331111, with all his seven career wins occurring when running between 8 & 30 days since his last run. A winner waiting to happen!
Uttoxeter
Junction Fourteen – Emma Lavelle – The six year old made a very promising chase debut for connections in this 2m 6f novices handicap chase. A winner of two hurdles in 2013, last season was a bit of a disappointment for the horse as he was unable to add to his win record in handicap hurdles. Chasing has always been the “name of the game” though for this son of King’s Theatre and he jumped really well to make all in this contest. He has the size to make a chaser and this was great start. His trainer also felt he would improve for his seasonal reappearance and to win on good going shows he isn’t ground dependent either. I am sure he can win more races this winter.
Good luck with your betting this week and as ever if you have any questions or comments leave a message and I will reply to them in next week’s article.
