The Neighsayers - Weekly Eye-Catchers 14th - 20th August 2023

Weekly Eye-Catchers 14^th – 20^th August 2023

 

14^th August – 2:25 Wolverhampton 

 

Louaizah 

 

Ran well on handicap debut here against a fair enough pace bias. 1^st 2^nd and 4^th all were prominent or led, whereas Fergusons handicap debutant was held up in rear, made loads of good ground past horses and ran on for a well beaten 3^rd in the end. Great run and should be competitive in low grade races over 9-12f.

 

14^th August – 3:55 Kempton

 

Billiegee 

 

Nice debut here, even more so for a yard who don’t normally have them wound up first time up. In rear, loads to do from miles back, made rapid headway into the straight and was just denied a win by a better placed horse. Shown loads of ability and should be going in next time.

 

15^th August – 2:10 Dundalk 

 

Apricot Twist 

 

Slight bounce back to form here after being disappointing since her 2yo days. Well backed overnight, desperately weak on the show, drawn in the car park, took medicine and dropped in, miles back when making good headway on bend, ran on into moderate 5^th. Starting to look nicely handicapped on old form and should be kept onside in handicaps.

 

15^th August – 8:00 Newcastle 

 

Royal Prospect 

 

Ran much better than finishing position suggested, ran okay against pace bias, 1^st and 2^nd handy. Travelling very well in rear of mid div, gone for a gap and had the door slammed on him, jockey had to stand up in the saddle, race over but did run on past beaten horses. Hes 4lb below last C&D winning mark, keep onside at Newcastle over 1m.

 

16^th August – 5:25 Beverley 

 

Honour Your Dreams 

 

Don’t think the forms worth a sniff here but this couldn’t have been left out. Raced very keenly on the rails, no run until the half furlong pole, hard on the bit and got slight gap late, made challenge but was unlucky loser. Should be bet the next day over 5f if the race is weak enough.

 

16^th August – 7:00 Kempton 

 

Velvet Crush 

 

Biggest Eye-Catcher of the week, really like this as a type. Typical Gosden debutant, desperately slow away, held up in rear, going easily, made good headway under hand riding, ran on for 3^rd in what looks an above average novice. Will follow this through the season, nice type.

 

16^th August – 8:00 Kempton 

 

Almarin 

 

Race where it was very hard to come off the pace, 1^st 2^nd 3^rd 4^th all prominent, stayed there. Looked to respond very well to the first-time blinks, did everything nicely on the bit but was desperately unlucky in the run, getting stopped many times. Shown he enjoyed synthetic surfaces, may sneak in at the bottom of the London Mile Series Final on the 9^th September, and would have an outside chance.

 

19^th August – 3:05

 

Animato 

 

Drifted badly in the betting, ran with enough promise on first run back after 121 days off. Had a wind op in his time off and I felt it did the job, running on nicely enough under hands and heels. Should be going close next time out now the horse can get through the pain barrier. 10-12f keep onside.

 

19^th August – 4:05 Newbury 

 

Brunel Nation 

 

Missed break, soon recovered to be prominent, overaced and was swallowed up at the furlong pole. Should know a lot more in handicaps, once he learns how to race more efficiently. 1 more run for a mark, watch with the view to back in handicaps.