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My Stable: Five horses to follow after Saturday's high-class racing


Matt Brocklebank highlights horses from Ascot, Taunton and Newcastle who should be worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks.


VULCAN (Dr Richard Newland)

First impressions were that it was a strong edition of the bet365 Juvenile Hurdle - a race won by Goshen, Top Notch and Balder Succes in recent years - and winning jockey Adrian Heskin confirmed as much post-race when stating he felt it rode like a quality event.

The front two bossed the headlines but with the short-term in mind, the one to take from it is Vulcan, who was far too keen in the early stages and gave Richard Johnson little hope of settling him.

He also kept edging out to the left at his hurdles, before clipping the top of the second-last effectively did for him, but overall it was a really promising start to life over obstacles for Dr Richard Newland's 87-rated Flat recruit.

Newland will definitely place the horse wisely in the coming weeks - presumably on a left-handed course - and based on his Flat form it's not completely beyond the realms of possibility that he could ultimately prove just as effective in this code as Tritonic and Casa Loupi.

🔎 Suggestion: Back on next two starts

Track horses, trainers and jockeys with My Stable
Track horses, trainers and jockeys with My Stable


DANS LE VENT (Evan Williams)

Dans Le Vent did best of those held up towards the rear of the field in the competitive Matchbook Better Way To Bet Holloway's Handicap Hurdle and he's one to be with when the spring ground eventually comes into view.

He clearly handles a bit of dig underfoot but in this sort of grade he's probably going to want a slightly sounder surface and in that instance he should still be capable of making his presence felt off a mark in the low-130s.

The horse couldn't progress past this sort of rating for Jamie Snowden but Evan Williams looks to have found the key to him and he can win again over this intermediate trip before the season's out.

🔎 Suggestion: Back when encountering Good to Soft ground (or better)


JERRYSBACK (Philip Hobbs)

This was all over at the first fence from a Value Bet perspective as Colorado Doc - usually a prominent racer and neat jumper - was knocked sideways and unseated rider at the first fence.

It was obviously far too early to suggest he won't prove up to competing at this kind of level in time and the lightly-raced 10-year-old is one to keep in mind, particularly if eased in grade for his next start.

But with bigger targets in mind, it was hard not to be impressed by the comeback effort of Jerrysback, who retains plenty of his ability based on this staying-on performance.

And with the Hobbs team still not quite going through the gears at present, a productive spring campaign could be in the offing.

I wouldn't be totally against him sticking to this kind of trip but he definitely stays further and if he sneaks into the Ultima Handicap Chase then he's got to be of serious interest.

🔎 Suggestion: Back at Cheltenham Festival


MAYHEM MYA (Chris Honour)

It was almost dark by the time they went to post for the C & D Southwest Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race at Taunton but Mayhem Mya came back a very clear winner.

It would be foolish to be getting too carried away about four-year-old fillies in low-grade bumpers around this time of year but the daughter of Authorized, who was following up her debut Warwick win in November, looks above-average in her sphere.

Trainer Chris Honour is reported to be eyeing the Listed bumper at Aintree's Grand National meeting and given the way she sprinted clear of her rivals this weekend suggests he might not be barking up the wrong tree.

Honour is hardly a household name when it comes to that fixture too, which should at least ensure Mayhem Mya is available at a reasonable price.

🔎 Suggestion: Back on next start in higher grade


MAYBE ONE DAY (Nigel Tinkler)

From a family of milers and middle-distance performers, Maybe One Day is just the sort with which his shrewd trainer absolutely excels.

Not out until November, he looks a big bull of a horse and has presumably taken some time to fill out his frame. He ran just the once as a two-year-old and has now had the two quick runs in January, all on the Tapeta at Newcastle, which will see him qualify for a handicap mark.

He's shown promise in all of his starts to date in fairness, staying on well first time out when fourth and certainly not disgraced this weekend when cheekpieces were fitted, replacing the tongue-tie worn of his first couple of outings.

Small fields and a slow gallop have contributed to him not being able to get truly competitive but that could all change once he goes up in distance, and he clearly won't be bumping into rivals like Saturday's winner (Haggas-trained Craved, closely related to One Master) too often.

🔎 Suggestion: Back in first handicap run at 7f or beyond


Ben Linfoot's Saturday Analysis

Our man assesses the Cheltenham Festival chances of Royale Pagaille, First Flow, Buveur D'Air and Tritonic in his Saturday analysis. Click here on image below for more.

Royale Pagaille was brilliant again
Royale Pagaille was brilliant again


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