The Notebook - 22nd 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...

Mount Atlas

The Lonsdale Cup was a gruelling, stamina sapping watch, which left me out of breath sat on the sofa, so I can’t imagine how the horses felt. Mount Atlas cruised into the race; if someone told you he joined halfway you would have believed them. However, very quickly he went from sauntering through the race, to having jockey PJ McDonald in full drive and ultimately, he weakened into third. Simply put, he was seemingly stretched by the two-mile trip and will be very interesting when they inevitably drop him back. His form over intermediate trips is progressive, with a Group 3 Silver Cup win on his penultimate start and narrow defeats to Al Qareem and Gregory who are Group 1 animals. Moving forward, he crucially has form on slower ground, so when others are unsuited by the rain, he could yet again come to the fore.

Time For Sandals

As someone who tipped up Time For Sandals at 33/1, the City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes was an agonising watch, with the selection finishing a never-nearer fourth, behind Bacio, Starlust and Rumstar. Why was it agonising? Because Time For Sandals was still on the bridle two furlongs out yet couldn’t get through a wall of horses in front of him and by the time he got a gap, the race had come and gone. Whilst I was glad he managed to get each-way returns, it makes you wonder what could have been had he had a clear passage. He is no stranger to a big race success, seen to best effect last year when he won the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. That was over six furlongs, but a strongly run five suits, as was the case here at York. It will take a bit of time to get over this one…

The Bookkeeper

Sun Goddess won the Harry Half Million By Goffs Sales race in ridiculously easy fashion and strongly advertised that her even money SP was a Christmas gift sent in mid-August. Yet, rated 32lbs less than her, The Bookkeeper ran a nice race to finish sixth and will win plenty of races in his career. At one point he hit a three-figure price, which was ludicrous considering he went off 3/1 favourite in a decent nursery handicap when last seen at Goodwood. That was over seven furlongs and he was dropping back in trip here which wasn’t sure to suit, but he held his own and ran much better than his 80/1 SP suggested he would. Everyone loves an underdog and I will keep him in the tracker to see where his career takes him.

Dashing Donkey

Finally, away from York, Dashing Donkey ran a nice race at Lingfield on Tuesday, finishing third in Class 6 action. He dropped to a sprinting trip for the first time in his career and was well supported before the off, backed into favouritism for trainer William Stone and jockey Jack Mitchell. In a blanket finish, he finished a valiant third, unlucky to bump into a well-handicapped animal in Balon d’Or who won off a basement mark and Happier who is progressive having won his last two starts. It will be interesting to see if he is supported next time and if he remains over six furlongs or returns to further.