Weekly EyeCatchers – Horse Racing

Another three winners from the Eyecatcher horses last week coming courtesy of Izmir, Final Assault and King Massini!

Like last week there were a few horses to catch my eye for this week’s article. Here are six that should provide you with some winning opportunities in the coming weeks through horse racing.

As ever for those of you with Eyecatcher Pro I have added another four horses this week including a couple of Irish horses that can win handicaps over the jumps this winter.

Tuesday 10th November

Sedgefield

Saints and Sinners – Michael Easterby – A winner of three handicap chases last season, including two at Wetherby, was making his seasonal reappearance here off a 6lb higher mark than for his last win. The seven year old travelled well through most of the race but had to settle for third at the finish. He should come on for the run and looks capable of taking another handicap at around 2m 4f in the coming weeks. Four of his five wins have come on soft ground and four of them have come in November & December.

Wednesday 11th November

Restless Harry – Henry Oliver – The 11 year old was having his first start for a year and his first start for trainer Henry Oliver. This was a very encouraging start to the season as the gelding looks to be on a winnable mark, coming into this race off a 1lb lower mark than for his last win at Ascot in February of last year. He maybe at the veteran stage but he showed he still has fire in his belly for racing with a good 3rd place here. Has normally needed a run or two to come to hand and he is 6-8 on soft or heavy going. There is still a decent handicap chase at 3m+ in him.

Thursday 12th November

Taunton

Shangani – Venetia Williams – The trainer has her horses in good form and she has traditionally done well with handicap chasers in November & December. The nine year old made a pleasing seasonal reappearance when attempting to make all, only headed at the last and had to settle for second at the finish. All his four career wins have come on soft or heavy going and all his best form seems to have come in single digit fields. Running here off the same mark as for his last win in March last year and also when beaten a short head at Kempton last December. Only 3-23 over fences, should have won more than he has, there is surely handicap chase in him off his present mark.

Friday 13th November

Cheltenham

Lough Kent – Nicky Henderson – Was only having his 6th start over fences in this race. The six year old looked a progressive chaser when winning at Warwick on good to soft going back in May. Having his first start since that win he looked to be travelling like the winner when taking the lead at the second last but he made a bad mistake and his jockey lost his irons. That cost him any chance he had and he eventually weakened on the run in to finish a 12 length 7th. Has won on soft going when trained in France and looks the type to be suited by fast run race. Is 15lb higher than for his last win, but there should be more to come from the six year old in this sphere and I am sure he can win more races at around two miles.

Saturday 14th November

Cheltenham

Cogry – Nigel Twiston –Davies – The six year old was having his first start since falling four out in the Scottish Grand National when still in with a chance. His jockey was working hard on him four out but he is a hardy battler and the further they went the better he seemed to travel as he was staying on well to take 4th at the finish. The good to soft going might have been a shade quick for him on his reappearance and he is 4-7 on soft or heavy going. Looks to have plenty of stamina and connections are thinking about a tilt at the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, a track he won at last December. Would have a decent chance if turning up for that race, which is usually run on testing going, but whatever his fate there should be a valuable handicap chase in him this winter.

The Job Is Right – Michael Hourigan – The seven year old had seemed to lose confidence over fences at the end of last season after falling in the Irish Grand National. A battling winner when switched back to hurdles at Galway last month he also ran well to finish 5th in this handicap hurdle. Still only has a win in a four runner beginners chase to his name but last season ran very well in some valuable chases, including an excellent 4th in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase. He had also looked set for second behind Djakadam in the value Thyestes Handicap Chase, when falling at the last, and was an excellent 3rd in the 4 mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Well suited by soft going, as he an out and out galloper and although he can be a hard ride for the jockey I think there is a big handicap chase in him in this season when all the cards fall right. After his Galway win his trainer suggested the Troytown and the Paddy Power over Christmas as possible targets in the coming weeks.

For those of you with Eyecatcher Pro I will be adding later this week some extra notes to some of the horses that have recently run.

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 when time allows.