Eye Catchers March 2025

Canal End – 1st in 4.30 Navan 22/03/25

Canal End is just getting going over fences. They gave him four runs over two miles to get an opening handicap mark of 119. He ran a good race at Naas over two and a half miles on testing ground to finish second behind Answer of Kayf. That set him fair for a shot at this valuable novice listed chase.

Canal End can improve his jumping and maybe it was the soft ground with Mark Walsh at pains to keep him wide on fresh ground at Navan. He looked in trouble three out but stayed on strongly over the final fence to win going away. This run proves he stays strongly and is open to more improvement going further. Spring ground will suit this big chasing type. The handicapper has raised him nine pounds to a mark of 129. That mark would be enough to see him make the cut if aimed at the Irish Grand National.

Cardcounter  – 1st in 3.20 Navan 22/03/25

Cardcounter is the sort of horse anyone would love to own. He did it the hard way at Navan, making all to win. The runner up travelled much better between the final two hurdles however it was Cardcounter who rallied strongest on the climb to the finishing line. This was Cardcounter’s second win having outstayed Dr Eggman at Punchestown over 2m3f.

Dr Eggman franked the form with a win at Limerick on Sunday. Cardcounter relished going out in distance to two miles six and a half furlongs. Gordon Elliott said that could be him for this season. Cardcounter is going to make a classy staying chaser next season on winter ground.

Lulamba – 2nd in 1.20 Cheltenham 14/03/25

Lulamba was the best horse in the Triumph hurdle even if not winning the race! The lack of racing experience counted against Lulamba. The first and third placed runners had several races on the flat and knew how to battle in a finish. Lulamba hurdled well enough if a tad sloppy over the second last hurdle. He showed a good turn of foot to battle back past East India Dock after the last up the rail. Lulamba and Nico de Boinville had no chance to spot Poniros on the other side of East India Dock. A cracking effort on his second run for Nicky Henderson following a procession at Ascot. I’d love to see the front five turn up at Aintree where I’d fancy Lulamba to come out on top.

Beat The Bat – 4th in 2.40 Cheltenham 12/03/25

Beat The Bat was well backed to win the Coral Cup. He ended up in front with Impose Toi over the second last hurdle and a long way from the finishing line. To the horse’s credit he battled all the way up the hill to finish fourth. This was the furthest he has raced and I think the premier middle distance handicap at the Aintree Festival is ideal. That race is a furlong shorter on a flat course. The handicapper has raised him two pounds which is fair. He has shown good form in the past on flat courses like Haydock, Windsor & Newbury.

Wreckless Eric – 2nd in 2.25 Sandown 08/03/25

Go Dante won the Imperial Cup but the unlucky horse was Wreckless Eric. Kielan Woods met all sorts of traffic approaching the final hurdle and had to take a hard pull off the heels of the leaders. That loss of momentum up the stiff Sandown Hill on sticky ground cost him victory.

This horse finished strongly and looks worth a try over two and a half miles at the Aintree Festival in a good handicap. He has run consistently well in good handicaps this season and is due a win. Less we forget his only five years of age and racing in open company. A hike of three pounds to 130 is not harsh by the handicapper.

Meetmebytheseas – 3rd in 1.50 Sandown 08/03/25

A massive run for a five year old against his elders. He lost his unbeaten run for trainer Ben Pauling. Meetmebythesea raced a bit too freely running over the half mile further than his three recent wins. He was sloppy over a couple of hurdles.

Callum Pritchard had no option but to hit the front between the final two hurdles and got there too soon. The horse battled hard with the winner Laurens Bay coming from the clouds to win! Meetmebythesea was raised five pounds by the handicapper to a mark of 133. I think on spring ground and a flat course he will win a good handicap this season or next if not sent chasing.