The Notebook - 1st August 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...

Geryon

I fancy Enceladus to win the St Leger in the coming weeks and as such I think Geryon finishing a length second to him this week at Goodwood is a strong performance. It was his first venture over 1 mile 4 furlongs, but he saw the trip out well, opening doors for some exciting races in the coming weeks or months. On this latest occasion, he travelled into the race well and was still on the bridle as Ryan Moore began to get stuck into Enceladus. Colin Keane decided to hold onto Geryon and was unable to reel in the winner but with a more vigorous ride, he could have got significantly closer. I will be interested to see where he goes next and I’d expect him to pick up another group 3 before the season ends.

Hatteen

I felt Hatteen was unlucky in the opening race at Goodwood on Wednesday, after going down by a head to Infraad from the William Haggas yard. He was popular in the market after impressing on his penultimate start at Doncaster where he bolted up in a class 2 contest at the beginning of the month. I felt he was unlucky this time around, as the winner drifted left and forced Hatteen to go with him. If jockey Oisin Murphy pulled his whip into his other hand and caused a bump, he would have likely won the race in the steward’s room. That being said, Murphy didn’t produce the most passionate case I’ve ever seen as the enquiry took place, no doubt much to the frustrations of those who backed him. Nevertheless, it was a strong performance and I’m sure he’ll win plenty more races.

Harmonics

It was a tough watch for supporters of Harmonics on Thursday, as traffic problems at a crucial time scuppered his chances. While it is unclear if he would have caught the winner, Ciarrai Abu, he would have definitely finished in the places, and so his bare result of fifth was unlucky. He is a progressive colt for John and Thady Gosden, winning twice earlier in the season at Southwell and Doncaster, with the latter being very visually impressive. A mark of 97 still appears lenient and he could land a big handicap prize either this season or the next.
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Noble Horizon

Oli Rix has started positively as a trainer and has a nice horse on his hands with Noble Horizon, who switched from William Haggas in April. This horse was unlucky to bump into probably a group horse in the Chesterfield Cup Handicap this week in Al Aali but regardless ran a very good race to finish second. He looked the winner two furlongs out as he kicked clear off the front end and showed that he is still well in off a mark of 94. Being gelded back in November looks to have helped him turn a corner and he still has un-tapped potential over intermediate trips. Hopefully, the handicapper isn’t too harsh off the back of this latest effort but I can see a four or five lb rise on the horizon.