The Notebook - 19th September 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...

Hostelry

Traffic problems cost Hostelry at Beverley on Monday and I think he would have gone close had he not had to wait for a gap. It was a strong effort considering he was quite keen in the early parts of the race, and his case is also enhanced because he came from an uncompromising position to finish second. For a Class 6 handicapper, his strike rate is impressive, winning 11 times from 86 starts, but placing on a further 33 occasions. His last win came in a classified contest at Ayr three starts ago, but off a mark of 53 he is more than capable of winning races. A potential return of a visor, which he wore when last winning, may help him gain his 12th success, yet in his current well-being he may need to drop another couple of pounds to yield further rewards.

Torrent

Torrent was a fruitful juvenile, winning at Uttoxeter and Newton Abbot before placing in a Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham at the beginning of 2025. His career hasn’t quite gone to plan, winless since 2024, but he is down to an overall rating 107 and is surely well-handicapped on historical form. He returned to Uttoxeter on Tuesday, hitting the line well and finishing a close third in a blanket finish. A slight step-up in trip may prove the difference in him getting his head back in front and help break his three-race streak of finishing third. Another victory is well over-due and he is certainly one for the tracker.

William Yeats

Despite not winning on Monday, William Yeats still looks ahead of the handicapper off a mark of 99 and will likely go very close next time out. Jennie Candlish’s Aimeric reversed the form with William Yeats after a favourable swing at the weights, but the latter travelled sweeter and just got out-stayed by the stiff finish that Sedgefield provides. The pair pulled miles clear of everything else and will both be of interest next time out and I have a feeling a flatter track may help the runner-up in particular get his head back in front. The Sam England team are in good form, operating at 29%, so a quick turn-around may be on the agenda.

Limerick Leader

Finally, Limerick Leader doesn’t do much in a hurry, so moving back up to a marathon trip may unlock more potential after his second-place finish at Kelso on Wednesday. He was unlucky to bump into a very un-exposed rival in Fairlawn Skipper, who was making his chase debut off a mark of 115 and clearly had plenty in hand for the Mickey Bowen stable. Nick Schofield’s runner up was significantly back in trip and lacked that extra gear that the winner possessed, yet he produced a likeable attitude to push him all the way to the line. He won races for previous trainers Olly Murphy and Alison Thorpe and may have a bit in hand off a mark of 109.