Richard's Horses to Follow

Next update shortly..........

Tuesday, 31st August

JIBAAL (M Johnston) had a nightmare run in the Ripon nursery, starting slowly, getting outpaced & then not having a clear run at a vital moment.  Switched right inside the distance, the colt stayed on well & can be rated a little unlucky.

Saturday, 7th August

CLASS IS CLASS (Sir Michael Stoute) ran an excellent race at Haydock in testing conditions and appears to be over the worst of his quirks.  In the end, he was just outdone by a horse that handled the conditions better and looks a horse with a future.

Wednesday, 21st July

MME DE STAEL (Sir Mark Prescott) is highly strung but hopefully will really settle down now she has won a race.  Taken down early & ponied to the start, she was given a fine ride by Jimmy Quinn, winning by an easy four lengths.  There should be plenty more to come.

Wednesday, 14th July

CINAMAN (T Vaughan) was nailed on the line today in a thrilling finish to the 3m chase at Uttoxeter.  Connections had been waiting for some cut in the ground as the horse has been ready to run for some time.  Unfortunately, he got very het up at the start - which can't have helped - & maybe would have benefited from stronger handling at the finish.  He'll be of big interest next time.

Tuesday, 6th July

PERFECT BLOSSOM (K A Ryan) was given an ultra-confident ride by the in-form Paul Hanagan and the progressive, speedy filly may not have stopped winning.  She is the form of her life and with early pace to burn, is likely to reappear very soon.

Saturday, 19th June

RECALCITRANT (S Dow), despite the yard's excellent form, ended up needing the run on Saturday.  He took the lead up 2f but lack of race fitness told and he dropped away tamely.  He'll be of interest next time out on turf.

Tuesday, 8th June

SEA OF HEARTBREAK (R Charlton) looks a filly of some potential after cruising to victory at Salisbury today.  The assessor will not be kind after this taking performance but she could prove better than a handicapper.

Sunday, 30th May

MUJRAYAAT (M Jarvis) was slightly disappointing at Newmarket today but had to be brought out wider than ideal to challenge after a slow start.  He may also have come up against two good horses and his in-form trainer can surely place him to good effect next time.

Thursday, 20th May

NORTHSIDE PRINCE (G A Swinbank) almost returned to winning ways when switched to Fibresand on Thursday.  The horse is best with ease in the ground & took to the surface well, only finding a Sir Mark Prescott-trained hotpot too much to handle.  His turn is not far away.

Tuesday, 11th May

SELECT COMMITTEE (J J Quinn) was disappointing at Beverley today but usually takes a few runs to get going.  The cobwebs should now be firmly blown away and, with a bit of luck, the handicapper will relent by dropping him a few pounds.

Thursday, 29th April

LORD GUNNERSLAKE (T Vaughan) is suited by a strong pace & perhaps, more importantly, decent quick jumping ground.  He won readily at Huntingdon today and connections will be looking to follow up soon.

Friday, 23rd April

AMONG the trainers worth following during the summer jumps campaign is Tim Vaughan. Based in south Glamorgan, Tim has around 75 horses in training and he is a man going places.

Here are three horses from his stable who are worth keeping a close eye on:

BALLYAGRAN was second in the Galway Plate in 2007 and having been sidelined last season, is on the way back. He will be aimed at Listed-class handicaps this summer.

DEFINITE DAWN won a maiden point to point in Ireland and according to his trainer “is a progressive horse”.

Finally, HONORARY TITLE won a Wexford bumper last August but is still a maiden and looks sure to win races over here.

Thursday, 15th April

JUST FOR LEO (P D Evans) is one for the notebook after an eyecatching debut at Ripon.  Badly drawn in berth 13, he did well to finish a creditable fourth and can improve for the experience.

Tuesday, 13th April

CAPPAGH (P Hobbs) was all the rage early in the day but drifted alarmingly shortly before the off.  The writing was on the wall before too long in the race and the horse was pulled up.  Definitely better than this effort, he will be of interest next time.

Monday, 29th March

ZUIDER ZEE (J Gosden) is a half-brother to a champion three-year-old colt in Scandanvia & shaped with promise on his debut at Lingfield today.  Not knocked about, he can be a different proposition next time.

Thursday, 25th March

INLER (J Best) has been attracting serious attention after a blistering gallop on Tuesday morning.  The 2000 Guineas entrant has been clipped to a general 16/1 from 33s for the Classic & will appear at Leicester on April 8 in the ladbrokes.com Conditions Stakes as a warm up for the main event.  He has never been beyond 6f but breeding suggests the Guineas trip will not be a problem.  He looks worth a small ante-post interest at current prices.

Saturday, 20th March

TRANQUIL TIGER (H Cecil). Henry Cecil produced.Tranquil Tiger in tip top condition for the Winter Derby and the quirky but smart six-year-old repaid all the hard work in style.  He did idle in front but was too classy in what looked a decent renewal.  He remains a horse of some potential on fast surfaces.

HEADING TO FIRST (C Brittain) was easily disposed of in the end by Beyond but there was no disgrace in defeat.  Not the quickest learner, he is improving and can be found a race by his in-form handler.

Thursday, 4th March

RACQUEL WHITE (J L Flint) posted a most promising performance in cruising to victory at Ludlow.  She took advantage of the drying ground and a positive ride, to win as she liked.  She has the option of mares'-only races and it will be interesting to see what route connections take next time.

Sunday, 28th February

MADLOOL (W Haggas) was a disappointment considering his 280,000euros price tag.  However, Willie Haggas does well with his three-year-olds at this time of year & better can be expected from this brother to Aqlaam..

Tuesday, 23rd February

GRANNY MCPHEE (A Bailey) flopped at Lingfield the day after winning with plenty in hand at Wolverhampton the day before. She has only ever won at the West Midlands track and will be of interest on her return.

Friday, 12th February

KAMES PARK (R C Guest) bounced back to form with a hard-fought victory at Wolverhampton,  He started slowly, took time to find his feet, had to be switched & then won with a bit to spare.  He can follow up.

Tuesday, 9th Febraury

PAIR OF KINGS (G A Swinbank) was weak in the market on debut & looked as though he would come on plenty for the run.  His yard is only just moving up a gear after the cold snap & better will be expected next time.

Sunday, 31st January

ERINJAY (M Wigham) mugged Oceans Legend under a masterful ride to land the spoils at Lingfield.  The lightly-raced four-year-old is likely to make a quick reappearance without a penalty and looks progressive in this grade.

Thursday, 21st January

QOZAK (P Nicholls) cruised to victory on his seasonal bow & is likely to be aimed at the big Festival meetings.  In any case, he remains one to keep on the right side of.

Friday, 15th January

HOPE ROAD (A B Haynes) looked to be going really well on his Fibresand debut but was found lacking in the final few yards.  He may have just needed the run after a break & can come on for the effort.

Monday, 11th January

PEARL (Mrs A M Thorpe) may not have won on her return to the all-weather but ran a promising race to finish fifth at 50-1.  Having lost her way over the jumps, the run should have done her the world of good & the mare will be of interest next time.

Wednesday, 30th December

ERE ALFIE (Nick Williams) hails from a yard in hot form over the festive period and looks one to run up a sequence if kept at a realistic  level.  The way he trotted up today was impressive and although the opposition was limited, he could not have done the job any better.

Monday, 21st December

ON BORROWED WINGS (A Flemming) is well regarded & duly posted a fine effort when winning at Ffos Las on the Monday before Christmas.  It was a very smooth performance & the ex-Irish-trained gelding can be a force to be reckoned with in better races this winter.

Tuesday, 15th December

ELUSIVE HAWK (B Curley) blew any chance of winning by rearing at the start of the 5f handicap at Southwell.  He did make some belated late progress & can be seen to better effect when upped in trip.

Monday, 30th November

NATURAL ACTION (P Bowen) is proving a handful for the handicapper & absolutely bolted up at Folkestone today.  He was one of the easiest winners you will see & a quick follow up is expected.

MENORAH WON 12/1

Posted on Richard's Update on 14/3/2010: "take advantage of their (Paddy Power) generosity by backing MENORAH, who looked a high-class novice when accounting for the highly-regarded Bellvano at Kempton on Boxing Day."