Naughton's Notebook: "He is handicapped to win"
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 7 May 2026
Introducing Peter Naughton's new column - Naughton's Notebook! The Racing TV presenter will be revealing the horses who caught his eye each week, and aims to identify winners in waiting. Make sure you add each horse to your Racing TV Tracker!
By Peter Naughton
How many times have presenters and pundits in horse racing advised adding a horse to the notebook or tracker?
The phrase is uttered daily, yet I'd wager less than five percent of punters keep a notebook, or add those horses to their trackers.
The viewer might make a mental note, only to watch in frustration as the horse wins without investment because the name wasn't diligently logged.
Naughton's Notebook does that job for you. I advise following those listed for two runs, unless otherwise stated. Horses are trained for specific races at various times, and catching them in the sweet spot when the handicap rating and/or ground conditions are ideal provides a significant edge.
If a horse is beaten for a reason when fancied by connections, an entry in the notebook is very often an indicator of imminent victory.
It's a privilege to be able to share Naughton's Notebook with Racing TV members, and here's to plenty of success. Enjoy!
The Racing TV Tracker is also an essential for racing fans, and you can add an unlimited number of your favourite horses.
Click here for more of Peter's free notebook horses
Suddenly I See
Race: Sixth in the Brian Dixon Memorial Handicap at Beverley (Monday).
Suddenly I See blew his chance at the start of this three-year-old handicap over an extended seven furlongs at Beverley on Monday.
Charlie Johnston's colt was dropping in trip slightly from a mile, and was in rear until making headway over a furlong out.
He kept on, beaten just over four lengths, but forfeited a similar distance at the stalls.
This progressive son of Ribchester is handicapped to win, despite a 7lb rise for his recent Musselburgh success.
Bye Law
Race: Sixth in the We Love A Bank Holiday Handicap at Beverley (Monday).
Bye Law was unable to overcome a poor draw when dropping to five furlongs against fellow three-year-olds.
Tim Easterby's unexposed gelding was well backed, but drawn in stall 13. He made headway from the rear over two furlongs out, and kept on inside the final 100 yards.
Bye Law needed the run when similarly badly drawn at Ripon on his return from a 174-day absence. The son of Invincible Army was outpaced towards the rear but rallied from over a furlong out, and kept on inside the final furlong to finish sixth.
Gelded prior to that run, Bye Law is handicapped to win.
Sponsor
Race: Fourth in theCameron Smart Memorial Novice Stakes at Windsor (Monday).
Over at Windsor on Monday, Sponsorimproved markedly from his debut ninth at Newbury when a close fourth in this novice stakes over a mile.
Showing good pace in a relaxed rhythm, the quality son of Mehmas was headed only a furlong out, and the front four finished clear of the remainder.
Sponsor will be exciting when handicapped after one more run, and has pace to drop to seven furlongs, if necessary.
Agamemnon
Race: Sixth in the Tattersalls Online 40,000 EBF Novice Stakes at Newmarket (Sunday).
Agamemnoncan build on his introduction in this novice stakes at Newmarket.
The Richard Hughes-trained son of Mehmas looked great in the paddock, but dwelt at the start. He was soon in touch but lost his position over a furlong out.
Agamemnon's yearling price of £72,000 rose to £150,000 at the breeze-up sale, and he has the physique to improve.
Cosmic Clarets
Race: Second in the Carolyn Murray Birthday Celebrations Handicap at Hamilton (Sunday).
This three-year-old was well fancied when a close third in the 6f three-year-old handicap at Hamilton.
In touch with the leaders, he was ridden over a furlong out, and was closing with every stride towards the finish.
The speedy son of Starman was gelded prior to filling the same spot at Newcastle on his reappearance three weeks ago, and is ready to strike.
Sir Benedict
Race: Fourth in the Hampton By Hilton Hotel Hamilton Park Handicap at Hamilton (Sunday).
Also on the Hamilton card, Sir Benedict was very unlucky when a close fourth in the 5f handicap.
Towards the rear, the son of Dandy Man made headway two furlongs out, but was hampered inside the final furlong.
Keeping on again towards the finish, he was also short of room in the final strides. He should soon be winning.
Sea Force
Race: Third in theSky Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap at Thirsk (Saturday).
Sea Forceendured a wretched passage when a close third behind the well-backed Mirsky in the Sky Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup.
Well drawn in stall three, William Haggas' capable four-year-old was in touch with the leaders, but couldn't find a clear opening over a furlong out.
He made headway and was keeping on against the far rail when hampered again inside the final furlong.
Morbeh
Race: Second in theFitzdares Dedicated Personal Betting Service Handicap at Goodwood (Friday).
Morbeh deserved bundles of credit for finishing a close second in the 1m2f three-year-old handicap.
Roger Varian's son of Dubawi was fitted with first-time cheekpieces, but wholly unsuited by a sedate pace.
Keen and in touch with the leaders, he made headway over three furlongs out and secured the lead before the furlong pole.
Headed inside the final furlong, Morbeh rallied towards the finish and would surely have won, granted a stronger pace.
He was fourth over this trip at Doncaster in March, and is bred to progress.
Magician Of Riga
Race: First in the Come Racing For Free 18th June Handicap at Southwell (Wednesday last week).
Magician Of Riga continued his progression under a confident Sean Levey in the 1m3f three-year-old handicap as Southwell.
Richard Hannon's son of Time Test was prominent, and although ridden over a furlong out, and switching to the near side, Sean Levey simply nudged his mount past rivals.
Magician Of Riga's final sectionals were impressive when beating hot favourite Kelly Burn at Wolverhampton on his penultimate outing, and the handicapper could take time to catch-up.
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