Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

MASSINI MAN

Runner-up, 2m7½f handicap chase, Musselburgh, Sunday 18 February

Massini Man had finished behind Captain Quint when the pair were placed behind Anglers Crag over this course and distance a couple of weeks ago. They finished in the same order again but things may well have been different had Massini Man not conceded first run in a race run at a steady gallop.

Massini Man travelled strongly under a patient ride and crept closer in the back straight but was rather caught out when the pace lifted. He stayed on well to take second close home, though, and was ultimately beaten only three-quarters of a length.

He left the impression that he's on a fair mark and well up to winning a similar event.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

TOOTHLESS

Runner-up, 2m handicap chase, Wincanton, Saturday 17 February

Toothless had to settle for second behind the odds-on favourite but he shaped well on his first start over fences, jumping boldly at the head of affairs.

He was unable to go with the winner from the second-last but he showed enough to suggest he will be worth considering in a similar event next time, especially with improvement likely.

Toothless is a chaser on looks and fences look as though they could be the making of him.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

AL RUFAA

Runner-up, 1m1½f handicap, Wolverhampton, Friday 16 February

Al Rufaa has made a positive start since joining Dan and Claire Kubler and he again shaped well when runner-up at Wolverhampton on Friday.

Al Rufaa, who raced freely having been held up in a steadily-run race, was going smoothly as they turned into the straight but was short of room in behind rivals. He kept on well once in the clear, however, and was ultimately beaten only three-quarters of a length while pulling a length and three-quarters away from the third.

His keen-going style and the patient tactics that are employed as a result mean that he is always going to need some luck, but he is on a handy mark and there are races to be won when races develop in his favour.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

HARTUR D’OUDAIRIES

Fifth, 2m1f handicap hurdle, Newcastle, Thursday 15 February

It’s a long time since Hartur d’Oudairies made a winning British debut for Dan Skelton back in November 2021, but he ran better than for a while on only his second outing for Brian Ellison at Newcastle on Thursday, despite finding himself caught further back than ideal in a race where those close to the pace dominated

Hartur d’Oudairies was dropped out, still had plenty to do entering the straight and blundered two from home when just starting to make some decent headway. He is one to bear in mind again, likely to soon recoup the £4,000 connections paid for him last month.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

TORNEO

Runner-up, 2m2f handicap hurdle, Fontwell, Wednesday 14 February

Jamie Snowden enjoyed a strong start to the latest jump season, including four consecutive months of strike-rates between 22-35%, but hasn’t as yet seen as much success in February. However, there was plenty of promise from Fontwell runner-up Torneo on Wednesday.

Making his handicap debut, the four-year-old shaped encouragingly with a view to landing a similar race in the near future, leading until three out. Though left behind by the winner on the run-in, Torneo pulled clear of the rest, and looks fairly handicapped (especially when you consider his third to Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Gino back in December) on his current mark of 109.

“He's a fine, big horse with a lovely attitude. He's still a bit raw so hopefully there's more to come,” said jockey Gavin Sheehan last month. We agree.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

BE AWARE

Runner-up, 2m novices' hurdle, Lingfield, Tuesday 13 February

Though being beaten as the 5/4-on favourite might not endear Be Aware to punters, he is still worth keeping on the right side of despite losing his unbeaten record at Lingfield on Tuesday.

He did nothing to dim a positive start to his career, prevailing greenness under firmer pressure than he'd needed at Newbury making the difference on the day and conceding 19 lb to the winner Yellow Star as well, with the pair well clear of the third.

Also key to Be Aware’s defeat was losing momentum at the last, after which he took time to recover before picking up well again in the final 50 yards and only just failing. He's still got bags of long-term potential.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

ANCIENT MYTH

Runner-up, 1m1½f novice, Wolverhampton, Monday 12 February

Ancient Myth was ultimately no match for the impressive winner Endless Victory, who picked up really powerfully to sprint clear, but he showed plenty on debut in this three-year-old novice and will be one to note in a similar event.

Ancient Myth, a 425,000 guineas yearling purchase, raced in snatches and showed his inexperience on his first start for Karl Burke, but he kept on well when the dash for home developed and finished a clear second.

He seems sure to benefit from the experience and won't always bump into such an exciting prospect.

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