The Notebook - 10 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...

Roarin’ Success
I thought Roarin’ Success ran a very solid race when finishing second at Stratford on Monday and could still be capable of winning races off a mark of 104. I’d argue he was the reason the favourite Stellarmasterpiece underperformed, simply because he applied pressure to him in mid-division, jumping much slicker and constantly hounding him on his inner. He moved into the race well and just bumped into a horse in Emerald Time who is turning into quite a frequent winner for the level. Two victories during the summer months indicate he is in fine form and due to the warm weather and lack of rain, he may be able to sneak another prize in the coming weeks whilst the ground remains firm.
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Chico Magnifico
Now is the time to step Chico Magnifico up in trip, after his third placed finish at Uttoxeter on Sunday. He moved into the race really nicely but lacked an extra gear over the minimum trip of two miles. I thought he might weaken and get swallowed, yet he plodded on, indicating there was more in the tank, he just couldn’t quicken. It is still very early days for him, with this latest effort being just his second start in handicap hurdles and in truth I read absolutely nothing into his heavy novice defeats. He was a middle-distance horse for former flat trainer Karl Burke and I will be keeping a close eye on him when they move him to an intermediate trip, as he is more than capable of winning races off a rating of 90.
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Indian Sunbird
Connections of Indian Sunbird will be scratching their heads wondering how they got beat in the opening contest at Huntingdon on Tuesday. It all seemed very straightforward for Sara Ender’s nine-year-old gelding, who dictated the majority of the race from the front and kicked clear of his rivals as the race began to develop. Ultimately, the jockey on the eventual winner, Gavin Sheehan absolutely lifted his mount Cinnodin over the line, with plenty of encouragement needed along the way after he was racing lazily. It resembles having your pocket pinched, as there was no real way Indian Sunbird should have lost that race, but it was an encouraging return to form after a couple of dismal efforts. The team may turn him out quickly in a bid to make amends.
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Snipe
I’d imagine there will be a long-distance handicap in Snipe for the Dan Skelton team, who finished third at Worcester on Wednesday. He shapes to me like he needs an extreme stamina test, despite failing to run on his merit in the past when upped to any trip above three mile four furlongs. Over the three-mile trip, he gets outpaced and often runs on when the race is over, which is incredibly frustrating for supporters. He recorded two wins last season at Hereford and Leicester, with the former particularly impressive given he looked a beaten horse as they jumped the last. He’s always there or thereabouts, he just needs a bit more to get his head back in front.