Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

I'M ON MY WAY

Winner, 3m handicap hurdle, Ffos Las, Sunday 13 October

Horses in this feature are often those who have caught the eye in defeat, but that isn’t the case with I’m On My Way who has now won three of her last four, unseating three out on the other occasion when yet to be asked for her effort.

Yet, there still seems likely to be plenty more to come judging by the nature of her win at Ffos Las on Sunday afternoon. Waited with as per usual, she progressed again to defy a 10 lb higher mark after seven months off, showing plenty of tenacity having hit the front before two out, a little earlier than has sometimes been the case.

She is sure to be of interest again if kept to this sphere or switched to chasing (lengthy mare), with soft ground over the winter seemingly essential having been a non-runner on good going earlier this month.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

VALVANO

Third, 1m handicap, York, Saturday 12 October

Valvano had underperformed when only third in a Salisbury novice on his return from a five-month break last month, but he produced a more promising effort when third on his handicap debut at York on Saturday.

Valvano was keen on the way to post but he settled better in a race run at a strong gallop and, having raced handily, still held every chance as they entered the final couple of furlongs.

He couldn't get on terms with the winner and ultimately had to settle for third, but this was still his best effort yet, and his rangy physique and unexposed profile suggest that he should have more to offer next season.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

MOUNT ATLAS

Runner-up, 1½m handicap, Newmarket, Friday 11 October

Mount Atlas had to settle for second when sent off favourite for the Old Rowley Cup, but he shaped really well in a typically strong edition of this valuable three-year-old handicap.

Mount Atlas, making his first start since winning a strong Ascot handicap in July, caught the eye with how powerfully he travelled, tanking his way to the front over two furlongs out.

He traded at a very short price in running but had no answer to the surge produced by Sun God who powered three and three-quarter lengths clear inside the final furlong. Mount Atlas was four lengths ahead of the third, though, and remains a well-handicapped and progressive colt to be positive about.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

HARRYS HOPE

Winner, 19f handicap chase, Exeter, Thursday 10 October

Harrys Hope cost £22,000 as a five-year-old after breaking her maiden tag in point-to-points in Ireland and this sister to the fair 23f chase winner The Boola Boss was always likely to prove more of a force once sent over fences (failed to win in six starts over hurdles last term).

She duly jumped well and showed much better form when winning a 13-runner handicap at Southwell on her reappearance/chasing debut, impressively by seven lengths from Supasunrise, and then continued her progression at Exeter on Thursday.

Under a penalty after just seven days off, she followed up from Southwell under a similarly confident ride, held up in rear in the early stages. She jumped accurately, travelled well, and crept closer at the end of the back straight. Produced two out, she edged ahead soon after the last and asserted close home.

A mare in rude health beating the boys comfortably, Harrys Hope looks up to completing the hat-trick.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

HOLBORN

Runner-up, 1m novice, Nottingham, Wednesday 9 October

A deluge of rain led to this two-year-old contest being run in gruelling conditions and the winner Gethin was by far the most professional and scored decisively from the well-backed favourite Holborn, with both possessing pedigrees to be positive about looking forward.

Holborn, who is out of a heavy-ground winning half-sister to Minding, shaped with plenty of promise starting out in very testing conditions, not proving as clued up as the winner but seeing his race out thoroughly.

Having been slowly into stride, Holborn raced in touch before running green and carrying his head a bit awkwardly, making good headway a furlong out but proving no match for the winner. He is in excellent hands and looks sure to progress and win races, most likely over 1¼m in time.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

WILL DO

Third, 2m2f beginners chase, Galway, Tuesday 8 October

Will Do showed useful form over hurdles last season for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown, winning twice in the autumn before contesting some competitive handicaps later on, notably when finishing fourth at the Punchestown Festival over just short of three miles.

He was sent off favourite as a result for his chasing debut and shaped encouragingly under an attacking ride over this much shorter trip. Jumping well in the main, he helped force the pace until the home turn but rallied to be beaten just over two lengths into third behind fellow chasing debutant The Other Mozzie.

Likely to be all the better for that first run since May, Will Do looks a surefire winner of a similar event near to hand.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

WALSINGHAM

Third, 1m handicap, Pontefract, Monday 7 October

An exciting finish to a fairy useful event, a last-time-out winner giving her all from the front but unable to fend off another four-year-old that had slipped in the weights, but it was Walsingham, who finished hot on their heels from the rear that is the horse to take away from the race.

He was surprisingly easy to back following a pipe-opener at Redcar recently and he went like the best horse at the weights returned to softer ground, benefiting from the step back up in trip, but unable to cut down a prominently-ridden pair under more patient tactics than usual, particularly on a day where those in the rear generally struggled to get involved in races up to a mile.

Walsingham looked potentially well treated for his handicap debut beforehand and he confirmed that theory, well up to winning races from these connections in the coming weeks, and he is a horse very much to keep on the right side.

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