Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

DIAMONDONTHEHILL

Third, 1m handicap, Ayr, Sunday 7 July

A useful event that unfolded in somewhat typical fashion for the track, those on the speed tending to dominate, Diamondonthehill doing well in the circumstances behind a pair who also look sure to win more races this season - one of them a steadily-progressive four-year-old - and it's still worth treating as a race to keep on side.

The form of Diamondhill's win at Thirsk eight weeks earlier has worked out well, and he did well to finish as close as he did given how this race panned out, coming from much further back than the two who finished in front of him.

He's a fairly reliable type on the whole, and remains a horse to be positive about from this sort of mark, well up to winning more races this season.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

TEMPEST STAR

Runner-up, 5f fillies' maiden, Naas, Saturday 6 July

Tempest Star had to settle for second on debut but she shaped really well and probably would have won with a better draw.

Tempest Star, who broke from stall 2 and led the pair that raced on the far side, looked the likely winner for much of the way but was swamped late on by a trio from double-figure stalls who swooped late on the stand side.

She showed good pace and, with better luck, should have little problem winning a similar event, especially as she's entitled to improve for the debut experience.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

HIGHLAND OLLY

Runner-up, 6f handicap, Doncaster, Friday 5 July

This handicap was taken by one who had fallen plenty in the weights and returned to form, though the runner-up, Highland Olly, was less exposed than most and is one to be positive about.

He had four starts in maiden and minor company and shaped well on his handicap debut on his first start at a sprint trip, coming from much further back than the winner and making his challenge on the far flank.

This was an encouraging start in handicaps, leaving the impression he's been handed a lenient mark, and he's more than capable of winning races at this level in the coming weeks.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

HEATHCLIFF

Third, 6f handicap, Kempton, Thursday 4 July

This was much more interesting than most class 5 sprint handicaps on the all-weather at this time of year, the winner having more to offer, while the Heathcliff very much caught the eye having been set a difficult task.

He seemingly isn't the easiest to train, having had another 11 weeks off since his previous start when winning over seven furlongs at Kempton, but he shaped very well in defeat, just set too much to do back down in trip.

Heathcliff travelled like a horse who is still on a good mark, running on well in the closing stages from a hopeless position, and he is one to be interested in next time either at this trip or back over further.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

STRONG JOHNSON

Fifth, 6f handicap, Thirsk, Wednesday 3 July

A useful affair that included a few veterans and was won by an improving, well-bred three-year-old, but Strong Johnson shaped well back in fifth.

His last win came in November 2023 but he was well supported and he ran a cracker with a view of dropping back down to five furlongs given he only gave way late on.

Also, he is eligible for much lesser handicaps, and he should take some stopping if found an opportunity over the minimum trip in a 0-75 handicap, his mark already 7 lb lower than the one he defied last winter.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

SAFFREDI

Runner-up, 7.5f handicap, Roscommon, Tuesday 2 July

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Saffredi had shaped well in his two previous handicaps, albeit pulling hard despite wearing a hood, but settled much better than usual under a positive ride this time and accordingly ran his best race whilst also showing a good attitude in defeat.

Close up early before leading after a couple of furlongs, he was joined over two furlongs out before leading again entering the final furlong and then edged out close home, going down by half a length to Gosford.

Saffredi shouldn’t remain a maiden for too much longer and has some further entries over the coming week, one for the shortlist wherever he turns up next.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

GIS A SUB

Fifth, 5f handicap, Pontefract, Monday 1 July

The front pair were always towards the fore in this fair handicap, the winner right back on song with a positive jockey change, while the next 4 home all came from much further back, none of them seen to best effect.

The losing run of Gis A Sub is mounting up, in fact, he hasn't won since his debut in 2021, but he continues to shape better than the bare result, and will remain a horse to be interested in.

He had the cheekpieces back on here, though he ended up a bit further back than ideal after some early trouble, and as can often be the case at this track, it was hard for those off the pace to get involved. Gis A Sub will now be eligible for basement grade handicaps and he is well up to winning races from this sort of mark, while he still isn't long with this yard, either.

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