Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

STRESSFREE

Runner-up, 1¼m handicap, Doncaster, Sunday 24 March

Stressfree made a promising start after joining David O'Meara from France last season, hitting the frame on his first couple of outings before signing off for the season with a win at Nottingham.

He had to settle for second on his return at Doncaster on Sunday but he went through the race like a horse still on a good mark only to find another lightly-raced type too strong.

That he pulled two and three-quarter lengths clear of the third also indicates he's a well-handicapped horse and he remains open to further improvement for his in-form yard.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

URBAN ROAD

Third, 1¼m handicap, Newcastle, Saturday 23 March

Urban Road was beaten a length and three-quarters in third at Newcastle on Saturday and looked unlucky not to finish closer. Indeed, he may well have proved a big threat to the winner had he not met sustained trouble in the straight.

Urban Road, who typically raced freely in mid-division, didn't get the gap until inside the final half-furlong but he ran on well when finally in the clear, taking third in the final strides and finishing with running left.

He was taking a slight drop in class into 0-65 company having competed in better races on his two previous starts, and he will be one to look out for in this grade in particular.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

CRACKER STAR

Runner-up, 1m2f handicap, Lingfield, Friday 22 March

This was a steadily-run three-year-old handicap in which the bulk of the field finished in a bit of a heap, but the very well backed Cracker Star caught the eye and seems sure to do even better with time.

This was his first start since undergoing a gelding operation and, though he failed to land the odds, in truth it's hard to think of a scenario that would have suited him any less than a steadily-run race around here.

Cracker Star still displayed signs of inexperience when coming under pressure in the closing stages, too, not picking up as well as looked likely, but he should find this aiding his development, and he will be a horse to be interested in switched to a more galloping track.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

BRENDAS ASKING

Runner-up, 2m mares’ handicap hurdle, Ludlow, Thursday 21 March

Brendas Asking looked ahead of her mark making her handicap debut for Kim Bailey and was backed accordingly, sent off the 11/8 favourite for a contest that wasn’t slowly run by any means despite a field of just five.

She couldn’t justify favouritism, being found wanting for know-how at an important stage, but put in some good late work to go down by three-quarters of a length to Dromlac Jury.

In touch but jumping none too fluently, Brendas Asking lugged right entering the straight and was still four lengths down at the last before running on. She should learn further from what was just her fourth start over hurdles and is well up to winning a similar event.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

KILTA

Runner-up, 2m3f handicap hurdle, Haydock, Wednesday 20 March

Kilta was unable to follow up his impressive handicap success but he shaped like the best horse at the weights at Haydock, losing out by only half a length to another progressive sort who secured first run.

Kilta, who was patiently ridden up in trip, made good progress early in the straight and finished strongly, but he was unable to get on terms with one who had been sent for home earlier.

He was a long way clear of the third, however, leaving the impression that he remains a well-handicapped horse and one to follow for a while yet, including when he goes over fences.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

SHIGHNESS

Second, 3m novices’ handicap chase, Wetherby, Tuesday 19 March

While there were just six runners in this contest, it was a competitive race with just three points covering the whole field in the betting. The Micky Hammond-trained mare Shighness, running from a pound out of the weights, shaped well to take second, ridden in stark contrast to the all-the-way winner Top of The Bill and conceded first run to him as a result.

Seemingly sharpened up by the fitting of cheekpieces, Shighness wasn’t always fluent in rear but made headway before three out and was in second when losing momentum at the last before keeping on to go down by two and a quarter lengths.

There are bound to be lesser contests than this in the North in the coming weeks and she’s one to look out for, especially if returned to a contest confined to her own sex.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

MINERS GAMBLE

Third, 6f handicap, Newcastle, Monday 18 March

Miners Gamble shaped with encouragement when third on his all-weather and handicap debut at Newcastle on Monday, stepping up on what he had shown in three starts in maiden and novice company.

Miners Gamble, who was making his first start since September, was slowly into stride and waited with, but he made headway at halfway and kept on well inside the final furlong, ultimately losing out by only a couple of necks to rivals who were ridden more prominently.

He's bred to stay longer trips - his dam stayed two miles - and a step up in trip could draw further improvement.

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