Eye Catchers October 2023
Canal End – 5th in 4.10 Galway 29/10/23
Canal End was very eye-catching, finishing fifth on his handicap debut. He won a maiden hurdle last year on yielding ground over 2m 4f so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him step up in trip. Jody McGarvey gave him a very educational ride dropping him mid division and never asserting full effort in the saddle. Three furlongs out he looked like he would possibly drop out the back of the television but instead he stayed on to finish 4 ¼ lengths fourth. He has been raised 1 lb by the handicapper but that will be no problem to this horse whenever he is off.
Gin Coco – 5th in 3.20 Ffos Las 15/10/23
Gin Coco had a lovely pipe opener in this to set himself up for a crack at the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday. He was second in that race last year off a mark of 131 and is only 2 lbs higher this year. He has only had the two races in between and is still unexposed. Last year’s ill-fated winner I like to move It had climbed 12 lbs in the handicap and Gin Coco was 13 lengths clear of the third. He should run well this weekend.
Ebanza – 2nd in 1.05 Naas 15/10/23
Ebanza was sent off 5/2 second favourite for this Fillies Maiden over six furlongs on soft ground. She gave jockey Ben Coen a torrid time over the first couple of furlongs throwing around her head and refusing to settle. Ben had no choice but to pull her out wide and let her go forward where she travelled like a horse with plenty of promise. She knuckled down to fight out the finish, eventually finishing a head second. Without doubt if she hadn’t used up so much energy early doors she would have won. She might not be the biggest price next time out but she should take the world of beating.
Volatile Analyst – 4th in 4.00 Naas 14/10/23
Volatile Analyst changed trainers in August joining Adrain McGuinness from Keith Dalgleish. This was his fourth run for his new trainer and he showed more promise than he had in his previous three outings. He was rated 93 on his first run for his new trainer and now has a mark of 80. He was caught out in the middle of the track here and started to paddle about half furlong out, eventually finishing fourth. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was to take a step forward for that run and pop up in Dundalk where he has a mark of 85.
Staysound Susie – 3rd in 2.50 Naas 14/10/23
Staysound Susie finished third at Naas in a Premier Nursery Handicap over six furlongs on soft to heavy ground. She went off at 20/1 for Andrew Slattery and outran her odds to finish 2 ¼ lengths behind the winner. She was continuously denied a clear run from the two furlong pole right up to half a furlong out. Jockey Andrew Slattery gave her one back hander and she finished strongly to get up for third. With a clear run she would have won in my opinion and should go close with better luck over the next few runs.
Free Horse Trackers
There are several good horse trackers available to Punters. These trackers can be used to receive alerts on the eye catchers listed above. Some are free while others require a subscription such as with the racing post.
Below are links to some of the better free Horse Trackers available to punters.