Peter Naughton adds two more horses to his Notebook this week while reminding readers that Round The Island could be well-handicapped at Pontefract on Friday.
There have been two winners from two advised tips on the Naughton Notebook so far, so let's hope for more this week...
Global Falcon is proving lucrative for the Naughton Notebook and Charlie Hills' improving three-year-old followed up his recent Leicester success with another winning performance in the 1m4f handicap at Salisbury on Saturday.
Chasing the leaders, he was ridden half a mile from home but displayed resolution and staying power to lead well inside the final furlong with the promise of more improvement. He seems very well suited by 1m4f and is now two from two at the trip.
I'm adding Elhafei to the Notebook after running a mighty race from a poor draw when a close third in the 1m2f handicap at Chester on Saturday.
Boxed in stall twelve, the lightly raced four-year-old was ridden over two-out and had to switch inside the final furlong when losing second place. Well handicapped off 72, I caught up with connections afterwards and they are "confident of placing Elhafei to win a few races", especially when granted a better draw and/or better luck in running.
I was asked by Racing TV to highlight just one horse to follow for the 2019 Flat season and chose Thirlmere, who is held in the highest regard by breeder Emma Armstrong and trainer Julie Camacho.
This classy filly made a hugely promising start to the campaign when a close third at 20-1 in the 6f novice at Doncaster on Thursday. Formerly trained by Michael Dods, the talented four-year-old was reappearing after winning a modest novice over this trip on the all-weather 244 days ago..
As a four-year-old filly carrying a penalty against unexposed three-year-old colts and geldings, Thirlmere appeared to face a stiff task in the Doncaster race. In addition, she needed the aid of the Monty Roberts blanket to enter the stalls and raced too freely in the first half of the race.
Jason Hart deserves credit for finding a spot just behind the leader, which helped his mount to settle, and although edging left in the final two furlongs, there was plenty to like about the way she ran to the line.
I interviewed the trainer's husband and assistant Steve Brown on Racing TV at Pontefract two weeks ago and he said: "Thirlmere is certainly a horse to follow and she can improve and win races."
Finally, look out for course specialist Round The Island in the 6f handicap at Pontefract on Friday.
He was a non-runner when tipped last week but entered the Notebook after suffering a troubled passage over course and distance two weeks ago. He's seriously well handicapped and loves Pontefract. Take the hint.
NAUGHTON'S NOTEBOOK HORSES
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