Eyecatchers

ANNAF SET FOR SOLID FINISH TO 2026

ANGEL IN MY HEART

Doncaster, 10 September

This filly was probably one of the more obvious eyecatchers of the St Leger Festival, but she looks like a certain future winner. This was her handicap debut and despite being 1lb out of the handicap, she poked the eye out with her powerful finish.

The winner dictated matters on the front end, and she came from last in a race where the pace lifted gently from halfway. As a result, Angel In My Heart had to make ground on horses quickening in front of her, but the visual impression she created in the closing stages, despite this, was a deep one.

She was clear of the third and the sectionals back up the visual impression as she was the quickest in the field for each of the final three furlongs. I will be shocked if this filly isn’t much better than the mark of 72 she ran off here.

ROCK MONTREAL

Doncaster, 11 September

I tend to include handicappers primarily in this column as at least I have some idea what their subsequent assignments will look like. Those above that level can be set tasks that are simply beyond them and may not really be “horses to follow” when the make-up of those races are known.

However, I do think Rock Montreal is one to take out of the Flying Scotsman at Doncaster on Friday. He looked a little unlucky to me, coming with a late run that saw him close significantly but just fail to get to Forbidden Fire, who looks useful herself.

I don’t think it will be long before Rock Montreal gets his head in front at this level and possibly even slightly higher. While I don’t think he is ready to take on the top juveniles just yet, he is one that should progress as this was just his second start.

CARAGIO

Doncaster, 11 September

I wouldn’t normally be one for Legends races, either from a betting viewpoint or using them as a reliable piece of form. However, I couldn’t help but take note of the run of Caragio in this one. He was well backed, suggesting this may have been a long-term plan for his owner/trainer Adam Kirby, who also rode him.

He brought strong recent form into the race, notably his runaway success at Yarmouth in April off a mark of 66. That win came over six furlongs though and stamina was the question mark around him here. That was a question answered clearly – he didn’t stay this mile trip well enough.

Caragio may not have been helped by Kirby’s enthusiasm either. Considering all his wins have come over shorter, I thought he went for home early enough and the final furlong proved too much. I do think he is well treated off a mark of 70 though, especially if he drops back in trip.

SUPER TUSCAN

Doncaster, 11 September

While his pedigree has plenty of sprinters, Super Tuscan’s dam won over a mile and I think he might need further than six furlongs to be seen at his very best. This contest wasn’t run to suit those off the pace, the even pace resulted in the winner making all and the eventual second was prominent too.

He had to briefly wait for a run as the race developed and he had a lot to do as the field made their way into the penultimate furlong. His finishing effort was hard to miss though, and he was the only one to really make significant ground from off the pace.

That was largely down to his final furlong and a half as he was quickest for the final split and second-fastest for the preceding one. I think the seven furlongs distance is worth exploring at some point, but a stiff six might also see him get his head in front again.

ANNAF

Doncaster, 12 September

Annaf may not quite be the horse he once was, but his handicap mark reflects that, and I thought he showed major signs of revival at Doncaster on Saturday. Slowly away, he was at the rear of the near side group early on but travelled well as he tends to and made ground through the field.

He caught the eye on the near side as he came through inside the penultimate furlong and appeared to have every chance a furlong out before his effort just flattened out a little in the final 100 yards. Still, it was a very good run, especially compared to his recent efforts.

This might be the time to put him in the tracker too. His UK turf wins have all come in the months of September or October, while his five all-weather wins have all come in the first three months of the year. He handles soft ground but is also well treated if turning to the all-weather.

EXCELLENT BELIEVE

Leopardstown, 12 September

I am a big fan of Stephen Thorne as some of the regular readers might know. I think he has made another shrewd purchase here in Excellent Believe, especially as the stable switch seems to have reignited his passion after he just lost his way slightly this season.

There were a few reasons to mark up his effort in this competitive contest. He got squeezed early on, which meant he found himself further back than Oisin Murphy may have wanted on. This meant he had plenty of horses in front of him and while he only had to stop riding inside the final furlong, he never quite got a clear run in the home straight.

He may not have won, but I think without the few instances of interference (albeit minimal), he would certainly have finished closer. It was a nice first run for the yard and if he can improve again, he should be capable of winning a handicap for the new yard.