The Verdict Extra: Eye-catchers, horses to follow and more

I suggested in The Verdict this week that you put two recent eye-catchers into your Racing TV Tracker.

I think both Grand Karat, who was an excellent third to Alshinfarah at Haydock last week, and Wonder, who was third to Ghostwriter at Newmarket, are worth following.

The highlight of this week's programme was the superb ride from Jim Crowley on Al Aasy to win the Betfred Rose Of Lancaster stakes at Haydock. He is riding at the top of his game at the moment.

If you didn't manage to watch The Verdict on Monday, you can watch the full show on Racing TV's YouTube page.

I would like to highlight two more horses from last week who I believe it will pay to follow over the coming months.

Trainer: Michael and David Easterby.

Race: Third in the Best Odds Guaranteed At Vickers.Bet Handicap.

Le Beau Garcon finished third at Thirsk last Friday and was unlucky not to score.

There was a distinct bias on the straight course on the day, with those drawn high against the stands' rail being at an advantage. Le Beau Garçon finished third from stall two, and was beaten narrowly by two horses drawn in stall 14 and stall 12.

The fact he was unlucky is obvious to the eye, and the Course Track sectionals point to him being the best horse in the race.

The race was evenly run with the winner, Blind Beggar, clocking a Finishing Speed percentage (FSP) of 103.78% meaning he finished the race through the final three furlongs 3.78% quicker than he ran the previous three furlongs.

By contrast, Le Beau Garçon finished faster having recorded an FSP of 104.60%. If you look deeper into the figures, this is backed up by the final three-furlong information. Below are the final three furlong splits of the first three home.

1. Blind Beggar : 33.42s.

2. Majestic Man : 33.44s.

3. Le Beau Garcon : 33.19s.

Le Beau Garcon was quickest through the third furlong, too, and the final furlong.

He raced off a rating of 74 here which, based upon the speed figures he has achieved in the past, makes him at least 10lb well in, and will surely win a similar contest soon.

He has no future entries.

Trainer: Gary Moore.

Race: Fifth in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts Per Day Fillies' Handicap.

Daphne May ran much better than the bare result at Kempton last week in a class 5 handicap over a mile and three furlongs which was won by Mildyjama.

The race was steadily run and Daphne May, who was held up in rear, was given too much to do.

The FSP tells us just how steadily this race was run. The winner recorded an FSP of 107.10%, which shows he saved plenty of energy through a moderate gallop which enabled him to finish strongly late in the race, and Daphne May finished strongest of all recording an FSP of 110.96% from a poor position.

I am always wary of horses that save all their energy in races for a big finish as they can flatter to deceive, but I take a lot more notice of those that can close into a pace that is quickening in front of them, and that was the case here.

Despite finishing fifth, Daphne May clocked the fastest final three furlongs recording 35.39s compared to the winner who came home in 36.57s.

A look at those individual three furlongs suggests that Daphne May made a big effort to try and get into contention before weakening again in the final furlong.

She was fastest in both F9 (11.73s) and F10 (11.19s) but she was fastest whilst conceding many lengths to the winner, who was sprinting in front of her.

Understandably, she could not maintain that effort in the final furlong and was only the sixth fastest through that final furlong.

This was a complete write off for Daphne May who shaped like she was still in really good form and I believe she can win next time out in a similar race.

As a general point, it should be noted that a mile and a half races at Kempton are often steadily run, being held-up is invariably a disadvantage.