Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

SHANBALLY ROSE

Second, 3m novice handicap chase, Musselburgh, Sunday 20 February

Laura Morgan has her team in excellent order at present and, remarkably, has won with seven of her last 11 runners. Included among them is Champ Is Real, who landed a gamble when sent chasing for his handicap debut at Musselburgh on Sunday, winning in the style of one who will rack up a sequence.

Shanbally Rose was no match for Champ Is Real after the last, but she shaped well in second, finishing two and a quarter lengths behind the winner but seven and a half lengths clear of the third.

Shanbally Rose, who raced from 6 lb out of the weights albeit with Dylan Johnston claiming 7 lb, impressed with how well she travelled in mid-division, moving up to dispute the lead at the fourth-last.

Shanbally Rose still held every chance as they jumped the last and just about touched down in front, but she was unable to go with the winner on the run-in when he found extra. That was only Shanbally Rose's second start over fences and it was a performance that suggests she's capable of winning a race at a lowly level.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

BALLYBLACK

3rd, 2m3f novices' hurdle, Ascot, Saturday 19 February

Saturday's Join Kim Bailey Racing Novices' Hurdle was won by Ballymore hopeful Skytastic, but be sure to check out the run of Ballyblack in third.

Trainer Jeremy Scott won this race with Dashel Drasher three years ago and it's a race with a history of producing good horses with Un Temps Pour Tout, Yala Enki and Sporting John having won it in the last decade.

Ballyblack went well deep into the contest, but just weakened after the last in the testing ground.

However, he still looks to be improving and he's one to watch when switching to handicaps on better conditions.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

EMPIRE STEEL

Won, 2m6f handicap chase, Kelso, Friday 18 February

There wasn't much racing to get stuck into today as Storm Eunice caused abandonments up and down the country, but Kelso escaped the brunt of her malice, and there was an impressive winner of the Racing's Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase.

Empire Steel looked likely to win the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day, still travelling strongly when crumpling on landing after jumping four out, but failed to build on that promise when disappointing at Haydock on his next start.

However, he was back to his very best here as he made it two from two at Kelso with the minimum of fuss, travelling and jumping well throughout and easily extending away from his rivals in the straight. The manner in which he sauntered clear marks him out as a very progressive chaser and one to keep firmly on side.

Empire Steel will face a hike in the weights for this success, but is one to be positive about next time regardless, and he could even progress into a Scottish National type.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

OPERATION MANNA

Second, 2m novices' hurdle, Sandown, Thursday 17 Febraury

This wasn't the deepest novice hurdle, but the winner put his experience to good use to record a second win over timber, and the runner-up, Operation Manna, displayed plenty of ability on his debut in this sphere.

He won on his only start in bumpers at Worcester in the summer but was very much in need of the experience sent hurdling following a six-month break.

Operation Manna raced in touch but made several novicey mistakes which caused him to lose momentum on more than one occasion. Even allowing for those mistakes, he was still upsides the eventual winner jumping the last, but another untidy leap didn't do him any favours.

Still, he stuck to the task well on the run-in, trying his best to reel in Monviel, but understandably finishing tired in stamina-sapping conditions. Operation Manna clearly has the ability to win races over hurdles and will almost certainly know more next time.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

BABY BUBBLES

Fourth, 1m4f handicap, Dundalk, Wednesday 16 February

Baby Bubbles didn't have a good draw in stall 13 and was on the back foot straight away following a poor break from the gate in the mile and a half handicap.

The mare was bumped along turning out of the back and was duly passing rivals but she didn't handle the bend at all well and became unbalanced before Colon Keane could straighten her up.

Once in the home straight, the writing was on the wall in terms of her winning chance but she did respond extremely well for pressure in the last furlong and a half, ending up fourth down the centre of the track.

She won't go up for this and looks worthy of interest in a similar contest granted a lower draw next time.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

BAY OF INTRIGUE

Second, 2m handicap hurdle, Lingfield, Tuesday 15 February

There was a lot to like about Bay Of Intrigue's first run for Fergal O'Brien for all his finishing effort didn't quite match what the rest of the performance promised.

He did make a big move on the outside of the field turning in and perhaps that was the reason he didn't convert the opportunity but the way he went through the race was that of a well-handicapped horse.

He's clearly joined an excellent team and perhaps with professional handling next time he could be ready to strike. He's certainly on a rating he can exploit.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

WHISTLEINTHEDARK

Third, 2m4½f handicap hurdle, Plumpton, Monday 14 February

The favourite disappointed in this two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle but it still appeals as being good form for the level, with the winner showing much-improved form to beat the consistent runner-up.

Third-place Whistleinthedark also emerged with credit, running at least as well as he had when winning a maiden over course and distance in December.

Whistleinthedark moved nicely through much of the contest, giving the impression that he's on a fair mark, but he ultimately proved one-paced after being ridden on the home turn, shaping like a step up in trip could unlock further improvement. He is bred to get further, so this lightly-raced seven-year-old still remains with potential with longer trips in mind.

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