The 2 year old maidens at this time of year often throw up horses to follow for next season. Yesterday Alanbrooke was a winner at Nottingham yesterday despite trading at 47/1 in running. Although under pressure from a long way out he stayed on steadily under Royston Ffrench to land the spoils. He looks a stayer and one to watch next season. This afternoon Skanky Biscuit showed a good attitude to win the second division of the mile maiden for Brian Meehan. Despite not having the most attractive name the horse, who had blotted his copybook when refusing to enter the stalls last time, is another that can go on to even better things. Lastly, I was quite taken with the performance of Border Patrol in the first division of the race. He finished 3rd and the first 4 pulled well clear of the remainder. He comes from a family of winners and I will be monitoring his progress with interest.
Malcolm Jefferson had a winner on the flat yesterday with the impressive Cape Tribulation and he has he could well have further success over the jumps at Carlisle tomorrow. A former bumper winner, Tot O’Whiskey won twice over hurdles at Hexham last season and also ran an excellent 3rd to Beshabar in a strong Sandown novice handicap. He starts his career over fences for Malcolm Jefferson tomorrow in the 2.30 at Carlisle over two and a half miles. The other one I like in this race is the Lucinda Russell runner Quws Law a winner twice over hurdles at Ayr last season and a horse that has the look of a chaser.
The other Jefferson runner I like is Cadoudalas in the 4.40. He has been in the first 4 in his last 6 races and is bred to improve on his form so far now that he tackles fences. If I had to nominate a danger it would be Sue Smith’s Super Road Train a thorough stayer that won three times in handicap chases last season including 2 at Carlisle. I am sure he will find a race or two again this season when stamina is at a premium.
Down at Lingfield Hereford Boy represents my list to follow in the 3.20. He has certainly not been the most profitable selection on the list as he has only won once from 10 starts and that was at 15/8. That win came off a rating of 75 and he has now come back down to 76. He is a course and distance winner and he has Robert Havlin on board who has done the steering on him on 4 of his 5 career wins. The other runner from my list to follow at Lingfield is Formation in the 4.20. Another runner to look out for at Lingfield is Apache Fort in the 4.55 who has won 4 times over course and distance.
Houghton is a half brother to the high class middle distance performer Yellowstone. The fact that he got off the mark at Great Leighs on his 5th start probably shows that he is not one of Sir Michael Stoute’s star performers. A winner is a winner though and he looked a dour stayer at Great Leighs so there may be more staying races to be won with him in modest company. He goes in the 7.20 at Wolverhampton tomorrow evening.
Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Margaret Barrett (see links for more information about this artist)
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