The Notebook - 3 October 2026

Not every big performance results in a headline victory. Sometimes it is the subtle runs, the late headway, the eye-catching move through the field, or the effort despite unfavourable conditions, that signal a horse ready to strike next time. Here are four runners who caught the eye this week and may be worth adding to your tracker for future races...

Social Symbol

I thought there were more positives than negatives from Social Symbol finishing second in Class 2 company at Salisbury on Thursday. I’m sure there would have people who were disappointed he got beat at an SP of 11/8 favourite, but his chances were harmed as soon as the gates opened, as he was badly hampered by his neighbour. He was forced to take a back seat and switch to make a challenge which allowed the winner to have things all his own way out in front. The Crisford runner up looked a strong colt and the way he finished his race suggested a step up to seven furlongs may be on the horizon. He’s yet to win since his debut but he will be popular next time he steps on the track.

Moments Away

If Moments Away could have jumped a bit better, he would have probably won the novice hurdle at Southwell this week, but his novicey hurdling technique meant he was booked for second. He was an eye-catching runner on the card, largely due to his fifth in the Grade 2 Aintree Bumper at a massive price of 80/1; by far the best form on offer. On this latest performance, his finishing effort is largely why he is in this column. He clearly has an engine and did well to finish as close as he did after some slow leaps earlier in the race. Hopefully, he would have learnt a great deal from this hurdle debut and I would forgive any horse for disappointing on their first start over obstacles.

King Ulanda

As the jump season moves ever closer, King Ulanda should fly into your tracker after his third-place finish at Southwell this week. I cannot stress enough how well he travelled into the race, an achievement which is impressive when you factor how strong the pace was set by the leaders. So, why didn’t he win? A final flight error was the main reason, as he landed steeply at a time where the smallest mistake would have damaged your chances. He was possibly not suited to the sprint finish or maybe just felt the effects of the earlier frantic excursions. Nevertheless, it was a very eye-catching effort and he looks sure to win more races off a mark of 114.

Matiwo

Finally, there was a big upset at Newton Abbot on Monday when Matiwo was beaten at odds of 2/7, yet I thought he didn’t run as bad as the bare result suggests. The winner, Scott’s Legacy, looks an above average animal for the Twiston-Davies team, who are seemingly winning every race they enter at this current time. The runner-up looked fairly flat out for most of the way and was tentatively handled when all chance of winning had gone, but his leg carriage and finishing effort suggests a step up in trip on soft ground may really suit him. He was fourth in a Grade 2 at Kempton in the depths of Winter last season and is certainly a horse who will be competitive off a mark of 119. I would not be surprised to see him rated in the 130s by the end of the season.