Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

BOWMAN

Sixth, 6f handicap, Southwell, Sunday 31 March

Bowman had offered some encouragement on his first start for Danny Brooke at Newcastle, leading the field until the final couple of furlongs, and he stepped up on that effort at Southwell on Sunday.

Bowman, who was dropped in trip and ridden more patiently, was unable to get on terms but he caught the eye with how well he finished off his race, leaving the impression that he would benefit from a return to seven furlongs.

He's on a losing run that stretches back to 2022 but he's fallen a long way in the weights and has shown enough for his new yard to suggest he's one to look out for, particularly if the headgear is reapplied.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

GOAL EXCEEDED

Fourth, 5f handicap, Cork, Saturday 30 March

Goal Exceeded was well backed on his handicap debut and he shaped nicely to finish fourth in the five-furlong handicap at Cork, leaving the impression that he's capable of winning from similar marks, especially back over further.

Goal Exceeded, making his first start since winning a six-furlong maiden at Naas in October, was outpaced over a couple of furlongs out but made headway approaching the final furlong and kept on well.

He had shown run-by-run progress as a juvenile, culminating with that success on his third and final outing last season, and the runner-up at Naas has since won all three starts to give his form a boost.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

KINGDOM COME

Runner-up, 1m handicap, Newcastle, Friday 29 March

For the second year running Kingdom Come has enjoyed a successful all-weather campaign for Clive Cox in the early months of the year and very much confirmed himself a smart performer with his best effort yet to go down narrowly in the valuable All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap in which he came out the best horse at the weights.

Travelling fluently held up, Kingdom Come made good headway before quickening to lead a furlong out with what looked a decisive challenge but was headed in the dying strides by the rallying 33/1-shot Talis Evolvere who was prominent throughout.

Kingdom Come is yet to win on turf but is clearly thriving and will remain of interest in the top-end handicaps over seven furlongs or a mile.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

RATTLING ROAD

Third, 2m maiden hurdle, Wetherby, Thursday 28 March

Things went to script in this big field, with the odds-on favourite Goldwyn obliging, but the placed horses shaped well behind him, notably Lucinda Russell’s Rattling Road who was beaten a short head for the runner-up spot, three lengths behind the winner.

Well backed after seven weeks off, Rattling Road shaped encouragingly with a view to handicaps over longer trips, disputing the lead until three out where he was untidy and keeping on in third when not fluent at the last.

A winning pointer in Ireland who’s every inch a chaser on looks, it’s highly likely that the seven-year-old Rattling Road will be sent over fences before much longer and is very much the type to win races in that sphere.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

SKY WIZARD

Runner-up, 6f novice, Kempton, Wednesday 27 March

Sky Wizard was unable to go with another promising sort in Imperial Guard, who quickened up well under a hands-and-heels ride, but he gave a good account of himself attempting to concede the winner 5 lb and has a bigger effort in his locker under more favourable circumstances.

Sky Wizard was unsuited by the steady gallop and outpaced when the tempo lifted, but he ran on well and was nearest at the finish, leaving the impression that he needs the emphasis more on stamina.

He has some strong juvenile form to his name and remains with a good deal of potential on the back of this promising return.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

BRIDIE'S BEAU

Second, 2m bumper, Taunton, Tuesday 26 March

Despite three horses coming down in a melee on the home turn, this still looks an informative bumper with Bridie’s Beau, one of two for Paul Nicholls, faring best of the newcomers in second.

Sent off the 9/2 second favourite, Bridie’s Beau shaped well, finding only the more experienced I Play County too good. He raced prominently, was pushed along over two furlongs out, wandered entering the final furlong and ran on to be beaten a length and a half.

Out of useful hurdler Jessber’s Dream, a Grade 2 winner as a novice, Bridie’s Beau will learn from this first experience and is well up to winning a similar event.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

WESTERNESSE

Third, 1¼m handicap, Newcastle, Monday 25 March

Westernesse had been off the track since finishing third at York last June and he shaped well to fill the same position on his return to action in a good race for the grade at Newcastle on Tuesday.

Westernesse was never able to get on terms with the thriving winner Asgard's Captain, who was completing a hat-trick, but he ran on nicely after picking his way through over two furlongs out.

He's entitled to be sharper following this first start for nine months and he remains unexposed over a mile and a quarter after only two starts at a trip he is bred to appreciate.

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