The Notebook - 29nd 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...

Desert Treasure

Desert Treasure was agonisingly denied at Lingfield this week as she finished a neck second in a Class 5 Handicap at Lingfield. The William Haggas-trained three-year-old was sent off joint-favourite at 11/4 under Tom Marquand but had plenty to do after being slowly into stride and racing towards the rear. Marquand asked for an effort over two furlongs out and Desert Treasure responded in good style, making rapid headway inside the final furlong. She chased down the leaders strongly and managed to grab second close to the line, but Style King had just enough in reserve to hold on for victory. The winner, who was dropping in trip, made virtually all and was all out at the finish. There was plenty of encouragement in Desert Treasure's performance, particularly considering how she started the race. She showed a good turn of foot when it mattered and, although beaten, looks capable of winning a similar race when things fall her way.

Fancy Dancer

Fancy Dancer produced a much-improved performance at Wolverhampton on Wednesday, finishing a close second in a Class 6 Handicap. The four-year-old, trained by Hayley Burton and ridden by apprentice Alfie Redman, was sent off at 11/2 and travelled sweetly throughout the race on the inside rail. She battled all the way to the line but was ultimately beaten by just half a length by Sixcor, who held on to take the spoils. The pair pulled clear of the remainder of the field, with favourite Sub Thirteen a further one and a quarter lengths behind in third. It was a positive return to form following her disappointing effort at Newmarket earlier this month. Fancy Dancer clearly enjoyed the return to the all-weather and showed that she remains capable of winning another race off her current mark.

Fast Fred

Fast Fred continued his excellent recent form when finishing a very respectable second at Musselburgh on Tuesday. The six-year-old gelding, trained by Phillip Makin and ridden by Sam James, was sent off at 11/1 for the 2m 2f Class 4 Portobello Cup Handicap. It was his first attempt at the trip, yet he travelled well and stayed on strongly, just unable to match the finishing burst of Gallus Norman, who won by three and a quarter lengths. Fast Fred has been a model of consistency this season. He returned to the winner's enclosure at Musselburgh in April, landing a 1m 4f handicap at odds of 10/1 under Rowan Scott. He then finished second at Thirsk, Chester and Haydock before another solid effort at Musselburgh on Tuesday. He is one to keep onside.

Blakefell

Blakefell was another one who came painfully close to getting his head in front on Monday, finishing a neck second at Musselburgh. Sent off the 9/4 favourite for this Class 4 Handicap, he looked to have every chance entering the final stages. Jason Hart had him travelling prominently and Blakefell moved through to take the lead over two furlongs from home. He was still in front entering the final furlong, but Two Commanders managed to get past in the closing stages and just held on. It was another really good effort from Blakefell, who has been knocking on the door lately. He has already won over course and distance earlier in the season, before finishing third over 9f at Musselburgh and then going down by just a length at Kempton.