Three-year-olds To Follow (2021)

Seven horses I put in my tracker last season. A bit of a mixed bag really with a couple that could be short prices next timeout and a few I will give another chance after disappointing. 

1: CASUARINA is by Sea The Moon (GER) out of Caribana (GB), trained by Ralph Beckett and owned by Miss K Rausing. Dam Caribana started her career with Michael Jarvis only racing four times winning a Wolverhampton maiden in 2008. Casuarina is related to a couple of nice types, the most successful being the Selkirk mare Cubanita also trained by Beckett and owned by Miss Rausing. Cubanita got better the older she got, winning a couple of group races along the way including the John Porter in 2014. Casuarina made her debut at Leicester last September when well-supported from 10s into 5/1. It was pretty obvious this trip was on the short side and Casuarina had to be ridden rigorously by Harry Bentley for most part of the race and in the end Casuarina plugged on to finish third. Interested to see Casuarina when she takes a step up in trip this season. 

2: DANVILLE is by Muhaarar (GB) out of Faustinatheyounger (IRE), trained by Eve Johnson Houghton and owned by Viscount Astor. A 30,000 gns purchase at the 2019 October Yearling Sales. Eve has had a tremendous season with her 2yos but the Muhaarar gelding hasn’t been seen since running a cracking race back in August at Goodwood. That race was a class 2 so obviously Danville is well-thought of despite going off a 40/1 shot. The form of that race has worked out pretty well with plenty of winners coming out that race. Danville was held up by Charlie Bishop that day and then when making his run he was blocked in before running on well the closing stages. Been gelded since so interested to see how he performs next time out after being off the track since August. 

3: GOLD WING is by Golden Horn (GB) out of Aviacion (BRZ), trained by Saeed Bin Suroor and owned by Godolphin. A half-sister to another Saeed runner called Promising Run who won the Rockfel Stakes back in 2015 and went on to have a decent career winning a couple of nice races at Meydan in 2018. Looking at the bare result you would probably be disappointed. Gold Wing was pretty steady in the market and made favourite for this novice race at Kempton back in July. Personally, I thought she was given an easy time and when tapped for toe a couple of furlongs out Murphy just cruised home. I will be keeping an eye out to see if this Golden Horn filly steps up on trip this season. 

 4: HANDEL is by Prioneerof The Nile (USA) out of Party Starter (USA), trained by A P O'Brien and owned by Handel form is available here. Owned byMme.J. Magnier/M. Tabor/D.Smith. This American born bay colt could be anything after finishing stone last on his debut back in July at Leopardstown. That run doesn’t inspire confidence I agree but I will be interested to see the betting next timeout and hopefully give Handel another chance.

5: MORAWETH is by Speightstown (USA) out of Istiraaha (USA), trained by Charlie Hills and owned by Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum. Moraweth never really got into the race when making his debut at Newcastle back in October but travelled well enough and wasn’t asked any questions by jockey Murphy that day. One I will be taking caution with and the betting will be the key when Moraweth is back out again. 

6: SNOW LANTERN is by Frankel (GB) out of Sky Lantern (IRE), trained by Richard Hannon and owned by Rockcliffe Stud. Now I’m pretty sure Snow Lantern went into many notebooks after her debut at Ascot in July and I’m pretty sure she will be a short price when reappearing this year but sometimes it’s not all about betting sometimes I just like to see a nice horse to be honest. Snow Lantern is a half-sister to the excellent Sky Lantern who had a tremendous career for Richard Hannon Snr winning group races left right and centre including the 1,000 Guineas to just name one. Talking of Guineas, Snow Lantern is actually a 33/1 shot for this year's Guineas. Pretty sure she will be stepped up to a mile this season and look forward to seeing out again. 

7: MARTINIQUE is by Le Havre (IRE) out of Phiz (GER), trained by A P O'brien and owned by Mrs John Magnier & Michael Rabor & Derrick Smith. Pretty expensive purchase for 825,000 Guineas at the October Yearling Sales in 2019. I could be barking up the wrong tree here after what looks like a couple of disappointing performances but I’m willing to take a chance that Martinque can improve if stepped up in trip. The Le Havre filly might just be a slow burner after looking to being knowhere one minute at Curragh last timeout to rallying and staying on again the last furlong. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.