The Final Flight publications have a horses to follow PDF out now and we've had a sneak peak - it's 60 pages of eyecatchers, previews and more.
Grant Copson and Lee Lewis have put together the excellent supplement with plenty of extra horses to follow in five categories: Star Performers, Novice Hurdlers, Novice Chasers, Under The Radar and Open Handicappers.
One of the 'Open Handicappers', Melrose Boy, is published below as an example of the in-depth content available via the PDF, while extra features include 'Behind The Scenes' interviews with Fergal O'Brien and Olly Murphy, a section on some purchases to look out for from bloodstock agent Tom Malone, King George VI Chase and Welsh National previews, and even some horses for your My Stable trackers courtesy of our own Value Bet tipster Ben Linfoot.
You can buy the PDF at The Final Flight website here for £4.99.
MELROSE BOY
| 5yo gelding | Saint Des Saints - Pollypink | H Fry |
| Latest Form Figures: 6/323-1 |
FORM ANALYSIS:
The rise of Unowhatimeanharry from handicap races to proving himself as one of the best staying hurdlers of the current generation was an incredible achievement for Harry Fry and all of his team. Even though it’s impossible to pin such improvement to Melrose Boy, the son of Saint Des Saints looks to have the right profile to progress through the handicap ranks this season.
Sixth in his only bumper in April 2016, he was a novice hurdler last season where he made his debut at Uttoxeter in a maiden over 2m4f – he finished 3rd behind Rolling Dylan. He was dropped in trip to 2m for his second start at Ludlow where, with hindsight, he finished what was a very good second behind the subsequent Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle third, River Wylde. His final start of the 2016/2017 campaign was a good third at Wetherby behind Eaton Hill, with the smart Mount Mews filling the runner-up spot. Back up in trip to an extended 2m3f, Melrose Boy raced keenly for Niall Madden and still showed signs of greenness when hanging left in the closing stages. A satisfactory first season over hurdles even though he was unable to win.
He looked a different proposition on his return to action when winning a conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle over 2m5f, powering clear of a competitive field by 6 lengths. A fourth winner in five years for jockey Kieran Edgar, the trainer landed this event with the aforementioned Unowhatimeanharry in 2015 and this 5-year-old looks another with serious potential on the back of his first success.
THE VERDICT:
Melrose Boy looked as though he had progressed mentally following a summer at grass and the fact that he remains a novice for the current season is a real bonus. He was earmarked for the EBF Final at Sandown last season before he bruised a foot and that shows the regard in which Fry has always held his youngster – that is always a very competitive heat.
He obviously has all options open to him, including contesting Graded novice hurdles as the season progresses. However, a revised mark of 135 certainly isn’t beyond him and he shapes as though he will stay 3m too. He could still have plenty of improving to do, which makes the handicapper's job very difficult.
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