Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

STROMBERG

Third, 1¼m listed race, Leopardstown, Sunday 20 October

Stromberg was well supported on his return to softer ground at Leopardstown and he was unlucky not to go close as he was short of room at a crucial time.

Stromberg travelled well in touch but was caught on heels for much of the straight, not getting a clear run until well inside the final furlong.

That trouble in running cost him his winning chance, but he stayed on strongly once finally in the clear to grab third close home, impressing with that good late work. He will remain of interest, including if tried over a mile and a half.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

SUBSONIC

Runner-up, 1m fillies' maiden, Leopardstown, Saturday 19 October

Subsonic is bred to be smart - she's by Lope de Vega and out of Italian Group 1 winner Laganore - and she shaped with plenty of promise on debut to finish runner-up to odds-on favourite Minnie Hauk.

Subsonic raced in rear and was still last as they turned for home, but she made rapid headway down the outside in the straight and quickly emerged as the main danger to the favourite who had shown ability when runner-up on debut at Cork.

Subsonic was unable to get on terms with Minnie Hauk, but she stuck to her task well and pulled two and a half lengths clear of the remainder, offering a solid platform on which she can build.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

HOE JOLY SMOKE

Runner-up, 2m4f handicap chase, Uttoxeter, Friday 18 October

Only the six runners but this looks a novice handicap chase worth following with the first pair in particular ones to side with next time.

Hoe Joly Smoke showed fairly useful form over hurdles without winning last season and he immediately matched the level of that form on his chase debut after 11 months off, but he promised more for a long way, ultimately let down by jumping errors in the second half of the race having looked a natural earlier in the contest.

He won his sole start in points and, judged by how he travelled through this contest, he is on a fair mark, and looks a sure-fire improver after this initial experience. Hoe Joly Smoke is well up to winning races in this sphere and is one to keep on the right side.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

SANTORINI STAR

Runner-up, 1m fillies' maiden, Southwell, Thursday 17 October

Only three went to post for this fillies' maiden but they all represented top yards and boasted good pedigrees so this could still be a race to be positive about. Shaha was understandably sent off at a short price having split a couple of useful types when runner-up when last seen on debut at Ascot in May, and she built on that positive impression to post a decisive victory.

Santorini Star may have been no match for the winner but she shaped with plenty of promise on debut, showing enough, despite displaying signs of inexperience, to suggest that she will be a banker for a similar race.

Santorini Star, a 290,000 guineas purchase, is a half-sister to Group 1-winning miler Dreamloper but is by a stamina influence in Golden Horn and is likely to benefit from longer trips.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

WILLIETHEBUILDER

Runner-up, 2m handicap hurdle, Wetherby, Wednesday 16 October

Williethebuilder failed to build on a promising start to his novice hurdle campaign last season but he still has age on his side, is in excellent hands with Dan Skelton and made a highly encouraging return at Wetherby.

Williethebuilder, who had been given a breathing operation since last seen, travelled powerfully in touch but conceded first run to the winner who pounced down the outside in a sprint finish.

Williethebuilder stuck to his task well, though, forcing the winner to dig deep, and this provides a good platform on which he can build.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

SUNDIAL

Runner-up, 2m6f handicap hurdle, Punchestown, Tuesday 15 October

Having started off life over 9f on heavy ground for Aidan O’Brien, breaking his maiden tag at the fourth attempt (over 1m6f on desperate going), Sundial always had the mark of a stayer, for all his class managed to carry him to fourth in the 2023 Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival for new trainer Padraig Roche.

That meeting could be on the agenda again this season, though races such as the Martin Pipe or the Pertemps will be more suitable judging by his encouraging return to action over 2m6f at Punchestown on Tuesday.

Easy to back upped further in trip, Sundial raced off the pace, making headway from three out before finding some trouble on the home turn. He was only fourth when producing an untidy jump at the last, but closed all the way to the line.

This was his best effort on ground described by Timeform as ‘good’, but he has plenty of form under more testing conditions and looks one to follow this winter as his stamina is drawn out further.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

ASK HER OUT

Runner-up, 2½m mares' handicap hurdle, Hereford, Monday 14 October

Bumper winner Ask Her Out hadn't shown much on her first four starts over hurdles but she produced a much more encouraging effort when runner-up at Hereford on Monday.

Ask Her Out was no match for My Bobby's Lass, who won with a degree of ease, but she made good late headway from an unpromising position, doing well under the circumstances.

She pulled seven lengths clear of the third and showed enough to suggest that she's capable of winning from such a lowly mark.

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