Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

GUSTAV GRAVES

Third, 5f handicap, Wolverhampton, Tuesday 2 January

Derek Shaw’s sprinter Gustav Graves ended 2023 with some good efforts over Wolverhampton’s five furlongs and began the new year over the same course and distance, again shaping as though still at the top of his game.

On a 7 lb higher mark after his win there just after Christmas under Joanna Mason, unlike on that occasion when he enjoyed a perfect trip around the inside, this time he did well in the circumstances to finish third from a long way back under the same rider.

Patiently ridden and still with plenty to do a furlong out, Gustav Graves then put in his best work at the finish, the pair who beat him, Reigning Profit and Rodborough having been prominent throughout. Also narrowly beaten three times over the same course and distance in the latter months of 2023, Gustav Graves should continue to give a good account.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

ED KEEPER

Third, 3m handicap hurdle, Cheltenham, Monday 1 January

Ed Keeper was sent off favourite for this useful handicap which had a number of other unexposed/progressive sorts in the line-up and he shaped very well in finishing third whilst giving the impression he was probably unlucky not to win.

Impressing with the way he travelled through the race, Ed Keeper loomed up three out before edging ahead approaching the final hurdle but made a costly mistake there which handed the advantage to eventual winner Butch. Still green when shaken up, Ed Keeper nonetheless kept on late to finish a length and a half behind the neck runner-up My Bobby Dazzler.

Ed Keeper looks sure to go on improving for Sam Thomas as he still looked ahead of his mark despite a 9 lb rise for winning a similar contest in good style at Newbury a month earlier.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

THE BIG CLOUD

Third, 2m½f handicap hurdle, Punchestown, Sunday 31 December

The Big Cloud was unable to reward the support that saw her sent off the 6/4 favourite in a field of 22, but she took a small step forward on form and showed enough to suggest she's well up to winning a similar event.

The Big Cloud wasn't always fluent early on which resulted in her being shuffled back, but she made headway under pressure after the second-last and had edged ahead by the final flight.

She was overhauled on the run-in, ultimately beaten a length and three-quarters in third, but she was 13 lengths clear of the fourth, while it's possible there could still be more to come after only four starts in handicap company.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

ATLANTA BRAVE

Runner-up, 3¼m handicap chase, Newbury, Saturday 30 December

Atlanta Brave has been shaping up nicely since he was sent chasing and he went down fighting against a fellow improver at Newbury on Saturday with the pair well clear of the remainder.

Atlanta Brave had kept on well close home when runner-up over three miles at Exeter last time and he proved suited by this longer trip, again responding positively to pressure and seeing things out thoroughly, for all he had to settle for second.

He remains unexposed as a chaser after only three starts over fences - and just seven in total under Rules - and he looks up to winning a decent handicap.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

WATERFORD WHISPERS

Runner-up, 2m4f novice handicap hurdle, Leopardstown, Friday 29 Leopardstown

This was a well-contested handicap featuring a quartet of last-time-out winners, as well as an intriguing stable switcher who came in for significant support.

A steady gallop meant a number of them weren't seen to best effect, however, including the runner-up, Waterford Whispers, who did well under the circumstances to be beaten just a length and a quarter.

Outpaced early in the straight, Waterford Whispers then closed all the way to the line, leaving the impression this provided him with a barely adequate test.

It was still a career-best effort on his handicap debut and he remains with potential as his stamina is drawn out further (will stay three miles).

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

NINE GRACES

Third, 2m7½f handicap hurdle, Leopardstown, Thursday 28 December

There was a much smaller field than usual for this contest – which in recent seasons has proved the most significant of the Pertemps qualifiers – but it was run in a decent time and should be a solid piece of form.

Nine Graces was beaten only a neck and half a length in third and she did well to get so close having been forced a bit wider than ideal on the turn for home.

This represented another step forward for the progressive Nine Graces who is still relatively unexposed at trips around three miles and would be an interesting runner if taking her chance in the Final of the series at Cheltenham.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

GAYE LEGACY

Runner-up, 3m½f mares' handicap hurdle, Kempton, Wednesday 27 December

Gaye Legacy had to settle for second at Kempton but she shaped very well in a race that didn't go her way.

Gaye Legacy was held up in a race run at just a steady gallop, while a stumble shortly after the third-last, just as the pace was really lifting, further hindered her chance.

That unfortunate incident meant that Gaye Legacy had plenty to do turning for home, but she stayed on strongly, closing all the way to the line and leaving the impression that she's on a decent mark (she was 2 lb out of the weights here).

Gaye Legacy remains relatively unexposed at trips around three miles and she could still have more to offer as a stayer when granted a smoother passage.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

FARREN GLORY

Fell, 2m Formby Novices' Hurdle, Aintree, Tuesday 26 December

This Grade 1 – formally known as the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown – is a cracking edition for the new card at Aintree on Boxing Day and the inaugural running was full of depth.

It was won by Jango Baie who maintained his unbeaten record under Rules, but Farren Glory was moving through the race like a horse a cut above his rivals prior to departing at the second-last.

He had just powered to the front before taking off far too early at that flight which surely deprived him of a second successive Grade 1 victory over hurdles and he is very much a horse to keep on following. Farren Glory surely won't be long in making amends.

Click here to add horses to your My Stable tracker

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.