Chris Dixon's Notes And Angles: Twilight Spinner's turn is not far away

The past week is when the Flat season really starts to warm up for most people and with the high-quality action coming thick and fast from Newmarket and Newbury it was hard not to enjoy the sport.

There have been numerous Classic trials but my suspicion is that, as has often been the case in recent years, the best trials will prove to be the top-end two-year-old races in the autumn of last year.

Still, the clues to be gleaned over the past week should be significant for the season ahead and hopefully there’s a few winners highlighted in the notes below with plenty suggested additions to your racingtv.com tracker.

Martin Harley gave a wry smile and straightforward response when I suggested there should be more to come from his winning mount Sonning at Beverley last Wednesday and I suspect the 6lb rise dished out by the handicapper on Tuesday morning won’t be enough to halt his progress.

Harley had to pick his way through from off the pace, having sat well back through the early stages, but was nicely enough on top of another improver on the day in the well-bred Happy, who also has more to offer, with the pair nicely clear of the rest in a good time for the grade.

Strong to the line, he’ll be suited by another step up in trip to 12f and more galloping tracks will probably suit his patient style more than this one as he goes up the weights but even granted a test similar to this one next time he’ll be of real interest.

Having worn a red hood and got a bit warm in the prelims, it seems Jumby is a bit of a highly-strung type but he’s also very talented and was unfortunate not to go close when dropped back in trip for his handicap debut at Newmarket on Thursday.

Held up early, he powered through the race but met with a troubled passage and didn’t get out in the clear until too late but still ran well for third – ultimately shaping like a horse nicely ahead of his mark. Big-field handicaps run at a strong gallop will suit him ideally given his keen going / strong travelling style with either 6f or 7f likely to be a suitable trip and he could be one to win a decent handicap.

Noorban didn’t get the rub of the green on her seasonal return and handicap debut at Thirsk on Saturday but caught the eye by the end of the race, crossing the line with more to give having met some trouble on her way through. Her stable’s runners have tended to improve for a run this term so she should be better with this outing in a warm handicap under her belt, while it’s possible a stiffer 5f or return to 6f will see her in a better light too. Either way, she looks nicely treated following a 2lb drop in the weights after Saturday and should be found a winning spot soon.

There were a number of very strong handicaps last week that will prove worth following including the race won by Mithras at Newbury along with the Spring Cup won by Nugget at the same track on Sunday.

However, the race I’m honing in on this week is the handicap won by Mohaafeth at Newmarket on Wednesday. The William Haggas-trained winner clocked a quick time and will remain a well-handicapped horse from a revised mark of 92 if connections decide to keep him in that company (the London Gold Cup and the Dante were mentioned as possible next run destinations by the trainer post-race).

A few of those in behind also look likely to be winning races soon, most notably third and fourth home No Recollection and Wallem. No Recollection finished off strongly from the back of the field and looks sure to improve when stepping up to 12f, while galloping tracks and a good pace are always likely to suit him too.

Wallem impressed with the way he travelled through the race but had to wait for a run at a crucial point and wasn’t seen to best advantage. He appeals as a well-handicapped horse and should be found a suitable opportunity soon. The trio are worth adding to your racingtv.com tracker.

There are loads of informative novices at this time of year and in the past week there’s been a few horses that were strong in the market and clearly expected to go well but were beaten showing real promise and shouldn’t be long in winning.

Sea Karats (Newbury Friday – William Haggas) was the most obvious one and should’ve really made a winning debut (watch above). She boasts an excellent pedigree and some lofty entries and is clearly well regarded so won’t be long in hitting the target – probably at a very short price – but I also think she’s a horse to be interested in longer term.

A day earlier Kingsofthemidlands (Newmarket Thursday – Andrew Balding) was also strong in the betting and though not unlucky on the day, looked like a horse who will progress plenty next time yet still ran to a good level. He travelled well but was green and didn’t get a clear run through – he’ll win soon.

Twilight Spinner (Pontefract Monday – David O’Meara) didn’t line up in such a strong race as the previously mentioned pair but she was unfortunate not to be a clear second behind a highly-rated winner on the day, having been short of room from the home turn for most of the straight and should go close next time.

Finally, Bilhayl (Kempton Wednesday – Roger Varian) was heavily backed to give his yard a double on the card but wasn’t seen to best effect in a messy race. The way he travelled and the quickened to the front before flattening out inside the final furlong was promising and he looks to have plenty of potential, though again is likely to be a short price next time.