The Notebook - 24 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...

Passing Diamond

I am always sceptical of backing horses who run well over summer and then bump into Winter horses but I was impressed with Passing Diamond who finished second at Cheltenham on Friday. He has flown up the weights this season, winning five times from eight starts, with feature victories coming at Cartmel and Hexham in the hands of regular pilot Richie McLernon. He had plenty to find on this latest occasion, but set a strong gallop and jumped well, finding one too good in Bowensonfire, who is a talented horse for Gordon Elliott. He will likely go away for winter but will be interesting next season, as he has taken to fences extremely well and there will likely be a nice pot in him.

Klimt Madrik

When connections of Klimt Madrik step him up to three miles, he will be very competitive in some good races over the coming months. He made his chase debut at Worcester on Wednesday but wasn’t the most fluent over his fences and possibly suffered from a quick gallop over an intermediate trip. He bumped into a talented horse in Talk To The Man but was miles clear of the rest and I was impressed how he boxed on after all of his rivals weakened. His hurdle form is very encouraging, finishing second in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle and 8th in the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and he is certainly a horse to keep onside this season.

Golden Ace

I am using my full creative licence to include a Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle winner in this list, but I thought Golden Ace ran a lovely race to finish third in Listed action at Carlisle. She often needs her first run of the season and generally improves half a stone for it, but I’d argue this was the most encouraging seasonal re-appearance she’s ever had. The obvious issue with backing her next time out is she will be contesting some very good races, with the Champion Hurdle being her obvious target come March. She will no doubt bump into Lossiemouth which makes life very difficult, but she often runs a really solid race and presents fantastic each-way value whenever she runs.

Edelak

Finally, I would be surprised if we see Edelak again this season, but he has enjoyed a fruitful campaign and is worth putting in your tracker for next season. He’s won five times since the beginning of May, soaring up the ratings from 111 to 131 and I think the long season is starting to take effect as the nights draw in. Nevertheless, he stepped up in trip in a trappy three runner race at Sedgefield and ran well enough to finish second behind a decent animal in Tommy Pickles. Ahead of next season there will no doubt be a plan in place and a target down the line, but you could see him picking up a nice pot in the height of Summer.