Timeform analysis | Strong form and horses to follow

Monday 13 February

Plumpton, 2½ meter chase after handicap for beginners

Strong looking form for the note/haul, with the playful winner being chased home by an upstart bidding for a foursome; The pace was solid.

Mr Baddesley has the hang of it now and with his stable in poor health, justified strong support for a change of tactics; forced pace, precise jumps, accelerated exit curve, forged clear.

Gloire d’Athon had ended his winning streak but was still in good shape after an 11 week break and should remain competitive, especially back on a more cantering track; outstanding, usually solid vaulting, home turn challenged, left behind by winning straight although he didn’t last with one clear second best.

sheldon ran commendably as he was poorly placed compared to the first two; ridden patiently, not fluid early (tend to jump right), still plenty to do, straight back, stopped to finally get third.

dreaming blue currently not progressing; close, already driven when dirty four out and three out, stuck on the last stages.

Barnaviddaun got a big chance from the handicapper but doesn’t seem to have the strength of the old days and has had limited impact over the fences; ran fourth early, not fluidly fifth, left behind at the end of the back straight.

Tap Boom looks too high in the weights on this evidence, fights his way out and always falls behind.

Thursday February 16th

Sandown, 2½m hurdle for beginners

Lots of unexposed guys from good stables made this a really interesting handicap and it’s worth taking a positive view of the top four; the pace was on the stable side and they were still well bundled going home.

innest improved as he justified the support the handicap sent over a longer journey and did well considering he started his efforts from further back than the other main contributors; held, good progress before two outs, fought flat forward, reacted well; He is open to further progress and will certainly win again.

twin power ran a cracker after gaining 6 pounds for his recent C&D win, was ousted late; Close-up, two challenged, every chance flat, kept running; he will certainly win more handicaps.

keep walking improved, switched to handicap, running, but went crazy late; Made a run, tackled two outs, flat bordered on the left, no extra late-ons.

Amron’s sageThe previously sweaty had converted to handicap over a longer ride better than the mere result; ridden patiently, traveled well, stumbled before first, out after three, every chance if beaten last, no extra; He remains with potential and is one to watch for something like that.

Gaelic Park, making his handicap debut, lost a major prize and was unable to match his previous form; prominent, overtaken before two out, soon beaten.

Egbert, who made his handicap debut, was below his form; in contact, fights out after three.

Athletic Mike ran under shape; held, three tab out, effort next, no response.

Missed tee wasn’t in the same shape as last time; raced wide, middle class, lead out after four, pushed forward, approached, weakened.

Gray d’Alco, who made his handicap debut, was below his form; prominent, error three off, weakened before the next.

equinus proved a disappointment; Midfield, pushed back to inner three, mistakes there, soon beaten.

Spanish present, who had undergone respiratory surgery, walked poorly in cheek pieces the first time, failed to travel fluently the second time this season; off pace, out of control, long way out, struggling early finals, short advance well before two out, weakened.

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