Performance ratings & TOTF

Performance ratings

BENGOUGH STAKES – Conquest 76

CORNWALLIS STAKES – Amour Propre 72

AUTUMN STAKES – Kite Wood 71




Top Of The Form

Have to admit its been a quiet time for the Top 20 as the Flat comes to an end, with some horses beginning to lose their form, so it could prove wise to tread carefully for three or four weeks until the jumps season gets underway properly. Several runners mentioned here certainly flopped last week, and I’ll be cutting back on turf Flat races from now, instead concentrating on the jumps and all-weather. That’s not to say certain Flat runners from the turf – especially from backend maidens – won’t be appearing on the all-weather before the end of the year in an attempt to get off the mark.

The current Top 20 isn’t particularly strong either, with a base rating of 0, compared to a month ago when races boasting a +3 couldn’t even make the chart, making those weeks in particular very profitable. The Top 20 should change shape in the coming weeks, though, with new arrivals from the jumps and all-weather that will hopefully contribute to a strong chart.

Anyway, for now, here is the list of bold horses mentioned in the RFO, along with their five-day entries from Tuesday October 14. I was hoping for a bigger price about Absent Pleasure at Leicester on Tuesday (today) as that is the Guardian nap. We’ve slipped in the naps table over the past fortnight but are still in with a fighting chance. I gave yesterday’s nap, The Carlton Cannes, which was an agonising neck second at Kempton.



Absent Pleasure (Tuesday) – Newmarket win been franked nicely and was a creditable third back there from a bad draw last time as high numbers were favoured throughout the day.

Al Gillani – The form from the first three home of this Great Leighs maiden has worked out well, as they have all complimented each other.

Artzola – Still early days for this Wolverhampton handicap from Sep 12 but two winners have already emerged and Artzola caught the eye running on into fifth.

Bold Argument – Took care of three subsequent winners at Salisbury.

Elijah Pepper – Form of Pontefract victory has worked out and trainer David Barron knows how to place progressive sprinters.

Fanditha – Salisbury fillies’ maiden win looks decent with the second and third obliging, and she deserves another chance on better ground after finding the Goffs Million on soft ground too much.

Hawk Mountain – This lightly raced three-year-old has improved with each run, staying on well at Redcar in front of two future victors. Ran a cracker back in trip at Pontefract and can win back over 1m6f+.

Hazzard County - Stayed on into third at Great Leighs and deserves to land one after some consistent efforts.

Head Down - Excellent second to Rose Diamond and could win a nursery.

Moresco (Tuesday) - Stayed on nicely on his debut at Sandwon and will be a force when stepped up in trip as his pedigree is packed with stamina.

Nehaam - Had two future victors back in second and fourth at Newmarket. The winner impressed in coming away in the final furlong and his trainer mentioned he could run in a big sales race back here later this month.

Nizhoni Dancer – Leicester nursery win looks good after the placed runners scored, and she is capable of defying a higher mark.

Pacific Ocean (Sunday) - Decent fourth at Yarmouth and a repeat on soft ground could suffice.

Pearl Of Manacor – Excellent third in Newbury maiden, which has churned out five subsequent winners.

Prospect Court - Sixth to Angus Newz was good form and is one to store away possibly for the autumn as he loves the mud and has slipped to a winning mark.

Royal Straight (Wednesday) - recorded a career best at Lingfield on his debut over 1m2f, which is no surprise as a son of Halling, and could represent value back in a handicap as he has just eight outings on the clock and is still open to improvement.

Too Much Trouble – Sandown victory has worked out well, producing a future Listed winner, and could be capable of stepping up in class.

Twisted - Ran well in fifth at Newmarket, making late headway, and is capable of picking up a maiden before the end of the season.

Wasan (Saturday) – Took a classy handicap at Doncaster that has been boosted, and this Pivotal colt will enjoy the autumn mud.

Wreningham - The form from the first three home of this Great Leighs maiden has worked out well, as they have all complimented each other.