Peter Naughton has the latest Notebook update including why Khaje remains his jumper to follow this season.
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Khage ran as though likely to benefit from the run when tiring in the closing stages of the 2m novices' limited handicap chase at Carlisle. Harry Whittington's highly regarded gelding jumped left four-out after leading from the first and wasn't fluent when headed three-out.
A close second when jumping left with a tired leap at the last, his early exuberance contributed to a one-paced finish. Still, there is much to anticipate this this class act, especially on a left-handed track. Expect the gelding to strip fitter next time, especially is saving a bit more for the final stages.
This fine notebook horse bolted up in a 2m novices' hurdle at Chepstow last term, despite racing keenly. Whittington said: "He's getting more profession and growing up with each run; his confidence is improving." Rating in the mid-130s over hurdles, Khage is an impeccable jumper but is expected to be even better over fences.
Racing TV presenters were asked to highlight just one jumper to follow for the new National Hunt season; this one chose Khage.
Suitcase 'n' Taxi proved a revelation when switched to the all-weather in the 7f handicap at Southwell on Monday.
Tim Easterby's gelding had dropped down the weights after a losing run but had gone well recently and was caught close home when stepped up to this trip at Catterick last time.
His front-running style is well suited to this Fibresand surface, as not many horses are able to come from a long way back, especially if facing kickback.
Rated in the mid-70s last year, there is scope to go back up the handicap on this surface following this success off 58.
Brian Ellison introduced a smart prospect in the 1m5f junior bumper at Market Rasen on Sunday. Fair Star is a well bred son of Sea The Stars but didn't race on the Flat for William Haggas. Bought for 30,000 guineas in July, the three-year-old has a bright future over hurdles and won this to improve his trainer's record in such races to 4 wins from 9 runners at this track in the past five years.
In this slowly-run event, Fair Star tracked the pace and although short of room over two-out, displayed a willing attitude to score with some authority.
There is more to come.
Finally, last week's selection Big Boris didn't run but connections plan to step him up to 1m2f in the nursery at Chelmsford on Thursday.
I had been told to have a good back this horse off a low rating of just 58 in the 1m nursery at Southwell recently but he was a non-runner that day too.
He had to be switched before challenging and losing by only a length over this trip in testing conditions at Chepstow two weeks earlier and there should be plenty of opportunities in the autumn. Here's hoping our patience pays off.
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