Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

TRAPRAIN LAW

Third, 2m4f handicap chase, Carlisle, Sunday 3 November

The absence of Grey Dawning left a more open renewal of the Colin Parker, but with it a substandard edition in which fitness and to a lesser extent tactics influenced the outcome, with the race-fit Marble Sands playing his hand last after stalking a placed pair who'd begun to engage from the ninth.

Traprain Law didn't appear to get home over the longest trip he's encountered on his return from seven months off, though a rare jumping lapse at the second-last was probably as much of a factor as either his lack of fitness or stamina.

He shaped well regardless, leaving the impression he's on a good mark, and with this under his belt, he's sure to be of interest in handicaps in the coming weeks, particularly back at two miles.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

BANYAN

Runner-up, 7f novice stakes, Newmarket, Saturday 2 November

Testing conditions for these fillies, but this is still form to be positive about, plenty of well-bred types from powerful yards on show, the winner really impressing with how she settled matters, and Banyan ran a race full of promise in second.

She is bred to come into her own over middle distances next season, so it was really encouraging to see her show so much over a trip likely to be her bare minimum, making headway around two furlongs out before displaying signs of greenness soon after.

Banyan wasn't knocked about and looks a sure-fire improver next time, likely to have no problem winning a similar event.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

MERCHANT

Seventh, 7f novice, Newmarket, Friday 1 November

Merchant, a €135,000 son of Teofilo, was too green to make an impact on debut but he was getting the hang of things inside the final furlong and should be much better for the experience.

Merchant was slowly into stride and raced off the pace, but he started to make some headway inside the final couple of furlongs and really caught the eye with how strongly he finished the race.

He's in excellent hands with William Haggas and could improve significantly with this under his belt.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

COOLEENYMORE

Fifth, 2m6f handicap chase, Stratford, Thursday 31 October

Cooleenymore landed a gamble when getting off the mark over fences at just the second time of asking last April, found further improvement when winning over hurdles at Hereford a month later, and shaped as if one to follow this term when fifth back over fences at Stratford on Thursday.

Cooleenymore ran as if better for the outing after six months off, but only after she'd given an indication that she's still got some mileage from a mark in the low-100s. Having tracked the pace, she jumped on briefly two out, before running on at just the one pace over a trip short of her best.

She looks one to be interested in with this under her belt, especially when stepped back up in distance.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

SUPREME MALINAS

Runner-up, 2m bumper, Newton Abbot, Wednesday 30 October

Supreme Malinas, an easy winner on her second start in an Irish point, made an encouraging introduction under Rules at Newton Abbot when missing out only narrowly in a bumper.

Supreme Malinas was held up but made good progress entering the straight. She looked green when asked for her effort, wandering slightly under pressure, and she was also short of room between rivals inside the final furlong, but she stuck to her task well and was only just denied.

She's in top hands with Dan Skelton and should be up to winning a similar event, especially as she's entitled to benefit from this experience.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

RANGE

Fell, 2m3f handicap chase, Chepstow, Tuesday 29 October

A well-contested event that changed complexion when the heavily-backed favourite, Range, exited early in the straight.

He had some fairly useful form over hurdles last season, but he is bred for chasing, and attracted plenty of support (13/2 into 5/2) on his chase and handicap debut and was in the process of shaping very well.

Range jumped well up to his exit, where he got over the fence five out perfectly well, but knuckled on landing and couldn't recover. He was travelling best at the time of his departure and is sure to win races over fences, more than likely to prove himself well handicapped next time.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

HOME FREE

Won, 2m 110y handicap chase, Ayr, Monday 28 October

A race that was blown apart by the free-going Thistle Ask, with the odds-on favourite, Home Free, the only one able to lay up with the strong gallop and it was effectively a two-horse contest from some way out.

Home Free has shown improved form since undergoing a breathing operation, winning his last two starts in the style of a most progressive handicapper, taking his form to a new level by winning this in emphatic fashion.

He settled the race quickly after taking up the running four from home, just kept up to his work as he readily moved clear, and he is well up to completing a hat-trick next time after another rise in the weights.

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