The Notebook - 7 November 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...

JPR ONE

JPR One ran another fantastic race at Aintree on Friday and it is a testament to how hardy and likable a horse he is. He was coming into the race off winning a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham’s showcase meeting and I was slightly concerned he might underperform as he had a hard race at Prestbury Park. However, he was ridden with slightly more restraint than usual and jumped and travelled well, running his usual solid race to finish second. In all truth, he would have needed a career best effort to beat Rubaud who was sensational for Paul Nicholls, but the runner-up has been a fantastic horse for connections and still may have some exciting days ahead.

KLIMT MADRIK

I have a fear I will soon be following Klimt Madrik off a cliff, because this horse has a ridiculous amount of talent, yet keeps finidning ways to get beat. He was second in a three-runner contest and he didn’t help himself by jumping poorly and allowing the leader an easy lead out in front. I would have liked to have seen jockey Kevin Brogan make his mind up at the fences, as when the selection was asked for a big jump he responded with fluency. It was his first effort over three miles, however I am convinced he is a thorough stayer, so a stronger tempo next time out mat suit. He will win a big prize in the coming seasons and I hope I have kept the faith by the time that happens.

KING TURGEON

It was nice to see King Turgeon run well after a string of performances that left him with form figures of PP66F. Back in 2024, connections were hoping he could turn in a Grand National horse, a dream that was very much alive after he won a good handicap at Cheltenham back in December 2024. One of the best assets this horse possesses is his jumping and he often is exuberant off the front end. He’s dropped to an attractive mark of 132 and he is more than capable of winning a good prize off this mark. Consistency would be the first thing I’d want to see next time out and then we could think about sexier targets down the line.

LYSSENKO

I thought Lyssenko shaped really well for the Skelton team on his first run for the yard and was a little unlucky to bump into a well handicapped horse in All In You. He had a very attractive profile before the race, coming over from France and joining the best yard in the country and with a couple of different race setups, he will win plenty of races. A possible move up in distance could suit in time and he will almost certainly improve for slower ground, with bottomless conditions likely to suit. He’ll pick up a nice Saturday race this season and it will likely be in the depths of Winter and a mark of 125 will likely flatter him in time.