The Notebook - 17 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...

Saint Segal
I thought Saint Segal shaped well when finishing fourth at Ffos Las on Wednesday and with Jane Williams’ horses needing the run, it would explain the slightly laboured finishing effort. Operating off a mark of 154 in handicaps is difficult, but he’s only six pounds higher than his last win at Kelso, so he’s not worlds away from being competitive at this level, although his future will likely revolve back in graded races. His form last year behind Thistle Ask and Lulamba is strong and he is incredibly straight-forward on various trips and ground. Last year’s season tailed off in the sexy races at Cheltenham and Aintree, but it was much more like it this week and he will be a player wherever he goes next time.
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Ben Solo
A Racing Post Rating of 113, 14lbs below his official rating of 127, is preposterous for Ben Solo’s latest effort at Ffos Las, when he ran well to finish third before simply not staying the three-mile trip. He jumped well and travelled with plenty of enthusiasm off the front end, looking the most likely winner as they turned in as jockey Sean Bowen sat motionless. He weakened quickly after they jumped the last, but he simply never got home on slow ground and his first attempt at the trip. Back in distance will see him very competitive and he will make further appeal when he returns to his favourite track Chepstow, at which he recorded both career victories.
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Delulu
There were a lot of positives about Delulu’s hurdle’s debut at Southwell on Tuesday as she chased home a talented horse from the Jamie Snowden yard. She was wearing a first-time hood, suggesting she isn’t the most straight-forward, but she jumped and travelled with plenty of venom, with her hurdling technique being particularly pleasing. She was ridden with restraint in her two bumpers, indicating connections are trying to educate her as they go along, but the form of her third at Worcester took a nice boost when the winner came out and won again since. I have no idea what the Skelton team are going to do with her, but there is evidently a decent level of ability under the bonnet.
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Onehundredneighty
It was disappointing Onehundredneighty got beat at Worcester on Monday, but he didn’t do a great deal wrong when finishing second and will likely win next time out. His jumping isn’t the smoothest and he doesn’t look the most natural over fences, but a mark of 92 criminally underrates him and he will hold a decent chance of winning races if he just gets round. I’m not sure whether he just got outstayed on this latest occasion, but dropping back to the two-mile trip he won at three weeks ago makes a lot of sense. Interestingly, his hurdles mark is three lbs lower than his chase rating and I wouldn’t be surprised if connections reverted to the smaller obstacles in the future. He is entered over fences at Stratford on Saturday and will likely take a lot of beating.