The Notebook - 26 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...

Storm Star

Connections of Storm Star can feel slightly hard done by that they bumped into Tribal Chief, a horse who often misses the break but bounced on terms on this occasion and won by a neck. Storm Star did very little wrong. She travelled sweetly and kicked clear of the field and nine times out of ten her effort would have been good enough to win. She will likely receive a small hike in the ratings, but off a mark around the low 90s, she is more than capable of winning races. The form of his penultimate fifth at Doncaster looks strong on paper and I am sure this horse will land a decent prize either this season or next.

Personal Best

A mark of 82 might be a little high for Personal Best, but he still ran a really nice race when finishing third at Goodwood on Wednesday. He is 4lb higher than when winning at Sandown in gutsy fashion and his consistency is admirable after finishing in the top three in his previous five races. To my eye, he is in a tricky position. 1m6f doesn’t quite look a strong enough test, yet at his current level I don’t think he sees out two miles well enough. He is a great bet to be in the frame in each race and if he got dropped to a mark of 80, he would be very interesting off that rating. Caution and cleverness will be needed when backing him.

Chicker

With the jumps season on the horizon, I was impressed with Chicker who beat talented horses at Perth – just bumping into an 80/1 shot when finishing second. His bumper form is very interesting, finishing ahead of good horses who have won since in Axel Bleue and Le Beau Madrik, leading to him being pitched in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and the Grade 2 Aintree Bumper. Although he under-performed, there must be a level of expectation for them to run him in those races, and after an encouraging hurdle debut at Uttoxeter in May, he clearly has transferred this ability to hurdles. He raced a little keen on this latest occasion, but if he settles, he will be sure to win plenty more races.

Way Maker

Finally, I have come to the conclusion that Way Maker needs about 7 miles and a fence to be seen to best effect. Whilst that is a little hyperbolic, he doesn’t do much in a hurry but is often a good bet to finish in the frame wherever he lines up. He placed for the fourth consecutive time at Perth on Thursday and frustratingly didn’t seem to find any improvement for stepping up in trip. He will be more interesting to me when he is sent chasing, however, with a clever bit of placing he may be able to pick up a low-level hurdle reward. Once he gets one win he may start to get the bug and he may be well-handicapped off 102.