Liam’s Weekly Eyecatchers

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Liam looks at the last week of racing and talks about 8 horses that caught his eye including 2 who were beaten in Novice stakes (on debut), one who can win if he consents to go out 2nd time round and one who was a VERY impressive winner on debut. In the video, Liam also talks about a horse who runs tomorrow (Wednesday 20th July) that he think is well above average and will be running in Group races soon.

Lahab – Newcomer who showed plenty of promise

Lahab ran a very eyecatching race for 3rd behind 2 horses that were expected to run well in Hectic & Alpha Capture. Lahab was keen early and Hollie tried to settle him towards the back of the field and ended up with 2 furlongs to go in last of 10. When Hollie tried to make their move, he ran into the back of Alpha Capture who didn’t initially pick up as well as Lahab and Hollie had to wait and switch right. When in the clear, Hollie was very careful and considerate to Lahab and didn’t really ask for much of an effort and yet he still picked up in good style to finish a never nearer but ever closing 3rd. I think he can go in next time in a similar race and I think he’s well above average

Dare To Hope – A nursery awaits of 86

Dare To Hope finished a never nearer and never involved 12th in the Super Sprint but he’s also not had a race here at all. He was stuck behind a wall of horses down the nearside for nearly all the race and was never asked for an effort even when eventually in the clear. He wouldn’t have won or maybe even placed but he would have finished a lot closer. I am confident he can win a nursery off 86 if they decide to lower his sights next time before stepping back up in class for a better race.

La Domaniale – Travelled too well

Through no fault of his own, Jonjo O’Neill and La Domaniale have found themselves in front in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen far too early. She travelled so well and jumped well that she was already in front before they turned for home. This meant she became the target for many in behind but only last years winner Francky Du Berlais was able to run her down (just). She’s still unexposed and progressing and whilst she’s been given a 5lb rise, I think in a race where she gets a lead for longer that won’t be enough to stop her from getting back into the winners enclosure.

Just Hubert – Cost himself the race 

Just Hubert I think would have won if he hadn’t given away so much ground going out on the 2nd circuit. He was travelling well after being well backed coming into the stable bend before going out 2nd time round but nigh on stopped and pulled himself up. Danny couldn’t get him to consent to run for a fair while and the ground he would have lost by doing this was arguably more than the near 8 lengths he lost the race by. I really believe if he had run a ‘normal’ race he would have won here. I imagine the Shergar Cup return could be the target for him having won the Stayers race off 87 (he’s 87 again now)

Majestic Fighter – Got racing too soon

Majestic Fighter could only finish 3rd at Leicester behind Hathlool and Shaladar but I’m convinced he and 4th place Danville got racing too soon. They were already racing turning into the straight and I think James panicked a bit thinking Danville was getting away and went after him too quickly. He moved alongside and passed this rival but was then a sitting duck for those who had been ridden more patiently and Hathlool and Shaladar both caught him in the final furlong. Majestic Fighter has been dropped 1lb for that effort and with a more patient ride next time, I would be surprised if he didn’t go close in a similar race.

Classic – A good eyecatching debut

Classic ran like a horse who has a future and wasn’t going to be given a hard race on debut. He finished a never nearer 4th at Newbury behind 3 horses who all had experience under their belt. After being slowly into stride he then didn’t get a clear run when Pat Dobbs was starting to get Classic moving and although he was switched and in the clear, Pat was very gentle on him and allowed him to close down the front 3 on his own accord. I think Classic will end up being the best of these and can certainly win soon in a similar race before going on to bigger and better things.

Batal Dubai – That’s an impressive win on debut

I don’t like putting winners into these blogs as ‘everyone’ saw them. In this instance however I don’t think he was given enough credit for how impressive this was. Over the far side when the gap appeared on the rail, he quickened really nicely and was still going away from Supreme King in the final half furlong. I think Supreme King is above average so Batal Dubai to win as he did was super impressive and will surely be in a Listed/Group race next time and go there with a great chance. He looked very professional and knew his job so his lack of experience wouldn’t be an issue regardless of where he went next.

Pureness – Now can go into a nursery

Pureness was an eyecatcher for us when 5th on debut at Newmarket and we hoped she would win next time out at Carlisle. Frustratingly she finished 2nd beaten 1/2 length behind the horse we said would be the danger. After that she went back to Newmarket for another Novice stakes and we said that she was unlikely to be running here with the aim of winning. 3rd run and get a handicap mark which she has now got. She’s been given a mark of 77 and for me that’s not reflective of her ability and she can win a nursery off this mark. I hope she’s given an entry in a nursery soon rather than targeting something bigger and potentially wasting a decent mark (finishing 4th in a better race, getting little prize money and going up 6lb…..)

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