Weekly racing eyecatchers: Horses to follow and add to My Stable Tracker
Get the latest Notebook update from Peter Naughton as he adds horses to his tracker following the recent action.
A tip for Punchestown below, but first, Arkenstaar was too keen in testing conditions on his return from 203 days off when third in the 1m handicap at Pontefract on Monday.
Michael Dods' four-year-old was in touch with the leaders and made headway over a furlong out but headed soon after. He will be fitter next time and should settle better. A three-time winner at Hamilton on various ground last season, the son of Kessaar can improvee.
Under Siege made a hugely promising start to his career when a close second to hot favourite Economics in the 1m maiden at Newbury on Saturday.
Andrew Balding's three-year-old was taking on several experienced rivals and made headway from midfield over a furlong out. He switched left before keeping on well in the final furlong and can improve with experience.
This classy son of Wootton Bassett cost 185,000 euros as a yearling and the dam is closely related to 6f two-year-old Group One winner Zoffany. Expect huge progression.
Sub Thirteen justified very strong support in the three-year-old handicap over an extended 5f at Bath on Friday.
Neil Callan's mount was in touch and pressed the leaders over a furlong out. He ran on well inside the final furlong and kept on strongly. This was his first start for Tony Carroll and the stable switch has been a boon. Expect progression.
On Wednesday, True Cyan offered bundles of hope for the future when fourth in the 7f Nell Gwynn Stakes at Newmarket.
Up in class after winning a maiden over course and distance, the talented daughter of No Nay Never was in touch with the leaders four-out but became unbalanced in the Dip. She was outpaced over a furlong out but kept on in the final furlong and can build on this first start since September. The dam (Realtra) won at this level for the stable and True Cyan is similarly talented.
On the same card, Amestris made a very promising debut when a close second in the 5f fillies' maiden.
Michael Bell's quality juvenile was bumped at the start but kept on well under a strong ride. She went second in the final furlong and should have no trouble losing her maiden tag. The fine daughter of Mehmas is bred to improve beyond the minimum trip on the dam's side.
Similarly, at Kempton, Not Real just failed to make a winning start in the 6f novice.
Roger Varian's three-year-old was heavily backed but outpaced over two-out. She rallied over a furlong out and kept on well but just failed; this was a cracking effort against colts and geldings.
The capable daughter of Kodiac cost 90,000 euros as a foal but half a million as a two-year-old. She is bred to improve plenty, especially when up in trip.
Punchestown Festival fancy
Asian Master has entries in Grade One novice hurdles at Punchestown on Tuesday and Friday. Willie Mullins' classy son of Shirocco has pace for 2m in the first engagement but will stay an extended 2m3f on Friday.
The selection ran a mighty race when fourth in the Grade One Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Willie Mullins' seven-year-old was wide but in touch and jumping very well. He was outpaced on the home turn but rallied and went fourth in the final furlong, suggesting Friday's race could be ideal.
This point winner is bred to improve beyond 2m and is two wins from three since joining Mullins.
Conditions were very testing at Cheltenham but connections have always insisted Asian Master will be better on better ground.
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