Check out the latest Timeform Eyecatchers and add them to your free My Stable tracker.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits
This has the potential to be stronger form than one might expect for a race of this nature, the finish fought out by a couple of above-average mares who should continue to pay their way this winter, and Must Be Obeyed showed plenty on her first start for seven months.
She has fallen to what looks like a competitive mark and went with plenty of zest on her return from a break, taking over in front from four out but headed between the final two fences and unable to go with the first two.
Must Be Obeyed is fully entitled to come on for this run and looks one to bet on next time in a similar event.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsThe first two, Firefox and Ballyburn, arrived with tall reputations and duly looked a level above the rest as they fought out the finish to this maiden hurdle.
It was Ballyburn who was sent off the odds-on favourite having won both his starts in bumpers last season and, though forced to settle for the runner-up spot, he still made a perfectly satisfactory start over hurdles after seven months off, just finding one with similar potential and a fitness edge too good after a less-than-fluent leap at the second last had put him on the back foot.
Trained by Willie Mullins, Ballyburn is sure to improve on this effort, perhaps significantly so, and he shouldn't be long in going one better in a similar event en route to much better things.
Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday
HECOULDBETHEONE
Fifth, 2m novice handicap chase, Newbury, Friday 1 December
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsHecouldbetheone was only fifth of six on his chasing debut at Newbury on Friday but he shaped better than that result would suggest in a good-quality race and he will be one to note next time.
Hecouldbetheone, who raced with zest and jumped boldly in the lead, was headed after the second last but was still only around two lengths down in third when stumbling at the last and losing momentum.
He won a couple of times over hurdles but he's a well-made gelding from a pointing background and, following his encouraging effort at Newbury, he looks set to make up into a better chaser. He could take some beating if dropping into 0-120 company next time.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsThis handicap chase was run at just an ordinary gallop and the first two arguably deserve extra credit having cut through from the rear of the field to have it between them at the last, both looking a good deal more interesting than most at this level.
Runner-up Famoso certainly impressed with how quickly he got into contention, making smooth headway before three out and sticking to his task well from there to be beaten just a length and a quarter at the line, with another five lengths back to the third.
A ready winner at Ludlow the time before, Famoso is clearly thriving at present and there should be more modest handicaps in him for the Matt Sheppard yard which enjoyed a fine time of things in November (five winners from 11 runners at a 45% strike rate).
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsSeas The Day had to settle for second on her debut but she shaped well at Wetherby and looks capable of winning a similar bumper.
Seas the Day was ridden patiently in a race run at just a steady gallop, but she made headway under pressure over two furlongs out and kept on well to move into second inside the final 100 yards, albeit without being able to threaten the well-bred favourite.
She looked as if she'd come on plenty for the outing and this should go down as an encouraging introduction.
Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday
HASHTAG BOUM
Runner-up, 2m4f handicap hurdle, Sedgefield, Tuesday 28 November
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsA steady gallop failed to prevent the cream from rising to the top in this handicap, a couple of upwardly-mobile six-year-olds quickening clear and fighting out a tight finish.
Runner-up Hashtag Boum was simply unlucky to bump into another progressive type and this was still a career-best effort on her return from seven months on the sidelines, having no problem with the drop back down in trip as she made the winner pull out all the stops.
This confirms that she's still on a good mark and she's one to note for something similar in the coming weeks.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsBreaking Cover had offered plenty to work with when placed on both starts in maiden/novice company and he again shaped with promise when third on his handicap debut at Ludlow on Monday.
Breaking Cover impressed with how he went through the race, travelling best and looking the most likely winner at the second-last.
He ultimately had to settle for third but he was only beaten by another progressive youngster and a mare who's dropped quickly in the weights, and it's reasonable to assume it's a good piece of form for the grade. This effort shows that Breaking Cover has entered handicap company on a fair mark and he remains capable of better.
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.