Dave Massey goes through this year’s Horses to Follow 2024 list with a much needed update. As with all good Eyecatchers lists, it pays to revisit them now and again to do a bit of housekeeping and see what needs the elbow, and what needs keeping. There are a couple of jumpers on there that have won since they went on – Harsh was a nice 17-2 winner for the list at the Punchestown Festival, but for the purposes of the article, we’ll just concentrate on the Flat horses. Here we go.
Alexander James (Michael Herrington)
Placed last three starts but managed to chuck a winning opportunity away last time out at Yarmouth (although maybe with pointing out winner Anif was also trained by Herrington) and has basically become hard to win with. Down to mark of 60 now and he’ll probably pop up at some point – he did win a seller at Beverley around this time last year – but can we afford to keep him on? Probably not. Chuck him from the Horses to Follow 2024 tracker.
Horses to Follow 2024 Star: Align The Stars (Mark Johnston)
Now we’re talking. I suggested he needed a step up in trip and so it’s proved. A ready winner at Thirsk (despite still looking green, wandering around in front) and then winning a quality handicap at Haydock at the weekend. Twice a winner for us then, and at 4-1 and 7-1 he’s paid his way. I suggest we leave him on, as he’s clearly going the right way now and there should be even more to come. Connections might even toy with the idea of two miles at some point, which might suit. Keep, with Goodwood at the end of the month in mind.
Atherstone Warrior (Alice Haynes)
Yet to run since that promising fourth in the Woodcote at Epsom, no entries as yet. Stays on the list.
Carrytheone (Michael Bell)
Was one of the Royal Ascot Eyecatchers, given with the Bunbury Cup as a target. Some rain coming at Newmarket this week but that wouldn’t necessarily put me off. Keep, even if he gets beat next weekend, as there’s a big 7f handicap in him regardless.
High Order (John & Thady Gosden)
Made short work of winning his maiden at Southwell (at 2-9) in April but awful at Doncaster when last seen. Might be owned by the King but he lost his own Crown Jewels after that, and that could turn him around, given what an absolute boyo he was at Newmarket first time up. Also makes him a bit more interesting for hurdling purposes later on. Keep him, let’s see how he gets on now he ought to be able to keep his mind on the job.
Macduff (Ralph Beckett)
Hated it at Epsom and went on the list purely because he ought to do better once back on more conventional tracks, and he duly ran a much better race when sixth in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot. The cheekpieces that were tried that day seemed to light him up somewhat, and he pulled quite hard, which leads me to think they might well be dispensed with next time. Neither would it be the biggest shock if they dropped him back in trip. Keep him on the list for the time being.
Minstrel Knight (Ed Bethell)
Took his time getting off the mark but was an 11-8 winner at Pontefract last time, looking very much like stamina was his long suit; now that’s been established, it opens up plenty of avenues for the latter half of the season, and I suggest there are a couple more wins in him, at least. He stays.
Mirsky (David O’Meara)
Went on the last after Ascot with the Golden Mile at Goodwood in mind; he’s been priced up at 66-1 for that. Anything bigger than 40’s would be a bet, for me. Back him antepost, with a lot to gain and little to lose at that price.
Orazio (Charlie Hills)
In a similar fashion, went on the lost after the Wokingham, the thinking being the Stewards Cup would be the target but unlike Mirsky, the ante-post price is about right at 10-1; we can back him on the day at a similar price.
Plumette (Alaistair Ralph)
Has changed yards since being put up in the spring, alas to no great effect; whilst she’s not run badly, she’s just hard to win with now. Time for her to get the elbow.
Horses to Follow 2024 Star: Skukuza (Ed Dunlop)
Winner at Newmarket at 11-4 for us two starts ago and then an excellent second at 16-1 in the Britannia, finding only Mickley too good. There’s surely more to come from Skukuza in the second half of the season, given how slowly he’s been brought on this season, and he has to stay on the list.
Horses to Follow 2024 Star: Star Studied (James Tate)
Winner for us at 9-4 at Kempton on only start since being flagged up as a potential good ‘un after his Southwell debut win; not had chance to show how good he really is yet, so has to stay on the list.
Triggered (David Loughnane)
Becoming slightly expensive to follow, but I’m loathe to throw him out as he is now back down to his last winning mark; he does need the all-weather to show his best, I’m sure, but let’s keep him on for the time being. 7f at Wolverhampton and I’ll be rolling the dice.
True Cyan (Roger Varian)
Last but not least, True Cyan. She’s clearly not going to be the horse I thought she might be, and I’d forgive her York effort in the Michael Seeley Memorial as she was far too free, but she needs treating with a little bit of caution now. Keep her on the list and let’s see which way she goes next time.
By Dave Massey
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