The Racing Mind Notebook - Edition 1 (W/C 18/10/21)

Well I enjoyed that weekend of racing, that's for sure. It's great to have the National Hunt back and I'm really getting into gear with it all now, and now I'm really looking forward to November. The Charlie Hall beckons on Saturday, whilst I always enjoy National Hunt meetings at Ascot - with the Sodexo Cup meeting on Saturday.

This blog is exactly what it says on the tin. I have noted horses to take out of races this weekend, mainly eyecatchers who were behind the winner in their races, but also winners as well who might be ones to note going forwards.

NELLS SON - Kelso - 23rd October 2:09pm - 2m Maiden Hurdle

Nicky Richards is in decent form currently, with plenty of his horses running consistently and he may have a decent novice hurdler who can pick up a couple more races on the Northern circuit. NELLS SON, a son of Trans Island, caught my eye winning at Kelso on Saturday in a novice hurdle. Jumped fairly well throughout and found plenty up the run in, he looks a horse of good quality for his shrewd trainer. Whilst he may not be top class, he has a good attitude and is well regarded by Richards, and I can see him being a horse who Richards can win plenty of races with - similar to stalwarts such as Duke of Navan and Simply Ned. Whilst the race didn't have much depth to it on paper, the winner will be a horse to follow this season.

LEN BRENNAN - Cheltenham - 22nd October 4:50pm - 3m1 Handicap Chase

Not sure if many horses rated 114 will be the type of horses you want to follow, but LEN BRENNAN stayed on eye-catchingly well and might be a horse who can compete in the county nationals around the country on softer ground. Yet to win over fences, he won't be a horse who will compete at the top level and may always flatter to deceive, catching the eye when running past tired horses but given he's only 8 years old and still lacks experience, plus it seems he has lacked a bit of maturity as he went back into novice hurdles last season - he can win a race soon enough. Len Brennan stayed on past a number of horses late on at Cheltenham and on softer ground, might pick up a long distance handicap this season.

STRAW FAN JACK/TIMBERMAN - Cheltenham - 23rd October - 2m Handicap Hurdle

TRM put up STRAW FAN JACK as a bet at 14/1 (R4) and ran a fantastic race giving weight all round including a stone and a half to the eventual winner. Travelling well throughout at the front end of the pack, he got caught late on in a decent finish with the Fergal O'Brien winner Samba Dancer. It's a big shame for the Sheila Lewis gelding as he will go up around 5-7lb for this race and he didn't get his head infront either. The Geordieland gelding showed plenty of pace travelling sweetly throughout, and he may be worth a go at the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in the middle of November.

Talking of Fergal O'Brien horses, another who caught the eye but won't be missed by many judges is TIMBERMAN. His run was probably the most eye-catching of any horse running this week. Held up at the back, he stormed up the hill off a slow pace and surely won't be stopped of his current mark even with a slight rise from the handicapper for this. Even with a slight rise from the handicapper, the Califet gelding is clearly held in decent regard by the stable as he ran in the Grade 1 2m novice hurdle at the Grand National meeting at Aintree. He looks to of got the hang of racing given his strong finish (has been a tame finisher in the past) and good ground looks the key to him. One to definitely follow next time out, however the 'judges' won't of missed him that's for sure.

COOL MIX - Cheltenham - 23rd October - 3m1 Handicap Chase

Another horse that was put up on the site at the weekend, again COOL MIX stayed on well enough to suggest he will pick up a race sooner or later. Most probably when there isn't an unexposed Irish raider in the field! It is worth noting that the Fair Mix gelding was quite free throughout the race and probably got tired late on. For a horse as free as he was in a 3m1f chase, the way he stuck at it to finish 3rd suggests he will be a horse that won't let you down, if your money is on. He also made a couple of errors including one 2 out, which wouldn't of helped his cause. He could have his sights set a little lower at a lower class racecourse, and it won't be long before he gets his head infront.

ALFA MIX - Galway - 24th October - 2m6 Novice Chase

I think plenty of pundits have put up ALFA MIX horse as a horse to follow in handicaps over fences, certainly after his last run over fences in January where he finished 3rd. Not seen after that run, he was seen at the weekend jumping fairly cleanly and finishing well enough on his first outing. A confidence booster for the Fair Mix gelding, he is held in high regard by his trainer and was good horse over hurdles. Owned by the Green and Gold, it's difficult to wonder when he will be put in the race to win and might be a horse for the lucrative 2m5f Handicap Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival (Won by Off You Go last season). He is being tenderly handled by connections, and when the handbrake is let off, he will pick up a good prize this season.

REE OKKA - Aintree - 24th October - 2m4 Maiden Hurdle

REE OKKA screams a staying prospect for Harry Fry , in the colours of decent chaser American, with this gelding sired by Getaway x a Presenting mare. However he could be a horse who might prefer to drop back in distance to 2 miles after a good run at Aintree over 2m4 after catching the eye travelling sweetly before not having the finishing kick of the winner - who looks a horse to follow for the Nicholls stable too. A winner of a point-to-point over 3 miles, I wouldn't be surprised to see him back at Aintree, or a similar flat track due to his obvious speed. The front 3 from this maiden hurdle might be worth following but I'll keep the Harry Fry gelding in the notebook where a maiden hurdle looks a penalty kick.