Peter Naughton alerts Notebook followers to the entry of Faustinovick this weekend in his latest update of the interesting horses on his list.
Faustinovick will relish the return to an extended 2m3f at Chepstow on Saturday.
The classy Notebook horse couldn't cope with the drop to 2m at this track last month but will be suited by the rhythm of this race. Usually a good jumper, I'm looking forward to seeing him progress throughout the season having noted some good late work over the shorter trip last time. Considered by Tizzard good enough for spring festivals, Faustinovick can start to fulfil his potential this week.
Fellow Notebook horse Kilcruit makes his eagerly awaited return in the next few days. A reserve for a novice hurdle debut at Clonmel on Thursday, connections have the option of a charity Flat race run in memory of the great Pat Smullen at Navan on Saturday.
Second in a 2m2f bumper at Clonmel on debut before lockdown, your correspondent has waited a long time to see Kilcruit again. That is good form as Frontal Assault was well behind in fifth but had been third to Cheltenham winner Ferny Hollow at Fairyhouse a month earlier. Kilcruit is a fine home-bred brother to a British hurdle winner and hails from the family of Mersey Novices' Hurdle runner-up, Oh What.
This observer was impressed with Kilcruit's ability to travel at pace.
Here are three more for the Naughton Notebook;
Farne bolted up in the mares' maiden hurdle on Thursday.
Racing over an extended 2m3f, the stoutly bred daughter of Stowaway was having her first run for Noel Williams, who produced her fit after 272 days off.
Paddy Brennan gave the leaders a head start of ten lengths and settled his mount in rear-they were detached by three lengths mid-race.
The combination made relentless progress before the downhill run into the home turn and although matched on the run to the last by Tequila Blaze, Brennan was always oozing confidence and coaxed Farne to an extremely comfortable two-and-a-half length success.
This fine mare was placed in four bumpers and competed at Grade Two company-she looks ready for a return to better races.
Connections will be keen to exploit a low rating in handicaps.
Across the card at Taunton, High Change ran a bizarre race and isn't straightforward but handicapped to win if connections can find the key.
Fitted with first-time blinkers, the speedy gelding looked very well treated off 113 on this handicap debut.
Charlie Hills' five-year-old runs in the colours of the trainer's father Barry and came here on the back of a fair third at Uttoxer on reappearance. Off 133 day since, he was clearly on good terms leading down the far side but the omission of three hurdles left a long sequence of galloping on the flat before the second-last.
High Change appeared shocked at the sight of the obstacle and hesitated markedly, allowing rivals to close the gap.
I'm giving him more chances and would usually prefer a quirky type to be delivered late but High Change did enjoy bowling along until the blip.
Fast Emma didn't help herself by racing keenly when up in trip on nursery debut over an extended 1m at Wolverhampton on Tuesday.
Michael Bell's juvenile was towards rear in this strongly run event and pushed along over two-out.
Despite using up lots of early energy, she didn't fail through lack of stamina and ran on to finish a creditable fourth off a low opening mark of just 56.
This filly deserves more chances in similarly low grade and may even stay further, if she settles.
