The Notebook - 19.02.2025

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 against 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 notebook for future races...

Henri The Second

Despite Kabral Du Mathan’s absence, the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock was still a fascinating watch, and it was pleasing to see Henri The Second handle the step into Grade 2 company. He was scintillating on his penultimate start in bottomless conditions at Sandown, leaving the Nicholls team no choice but to step him into grade after a 10lb rise by the handicapper.

Heavy ground looks to be the key to this horse, so it was impressive how he performed with real credit on good-to-soft this weekend. I’d argue he’s still relatively unexposed as a stayer and the worse the conditions the more likely he is to perform well. I’d say he’s vulnerable to one or two on quicker ground, as was shown this weekend, but he is likeable and has plenty of ability.

Neo King

This column is always about finding horses who perform well in defeat with a view to them winning in the future. Every horse I discuss I like to think I have a fair grasp on their ability, but with Neo King I can confidently say I have no clue how good he is. Simply because, every time he races, over various marathon trips, he stays on to hit the frame after being outpaced and looking beat.

How he finished third in the Grand National Trial is baffling when you see the amount of ground he had to make up. He landed a nice pot at Windsor two starts ago, finishing in his usual fashion. Is he un-exposed as a stayer? I don’t know. Would I be surprised if he landed a big prize along the way? Absolutely not.

Bythesametoken

I was pleased with the third-place performance of Irish raider Bythesametoken and I promise it had nothing to do with the fact I backed him at 40/1 each way! He is in the veteran stage of his career, so the chance of improvement is close to nil, but he seems to have found a resurgence and the form of his Listowel win ahead of Jasko Des Dames reads well. That success was the most valuable on his CV and was much deserved after a career of consistency and reliability.

He’d be moderately interesting if he came back to England for veteran’s races, but in generic handicap chases he may be susceptible to a younger, more unexposed type. However, I’m sure no one would begrudge him a long and happy retirement if connections decide it’s best to call time on his racing life.

Catchintsavo

Mondoui’boy was very impressive at Ascot in the opening novices hurdle this weekend and could prove to be high-class for the Ben Pauling team. In behind, Catchintsavo was the horse who gave him the most to think about and probably harmed his chances of finishing second by trying to take on the winner. While I don’t think he will reach the heights of the winner, there is plenty of fun to be had with this horse and he has already amassed over £16,000 as a six-year-old.

His maiden hurdle win at Ludlow has a nice form boost in the week as the second, Seaniecon, won in comfortable fashion at Hereford. If we look at his Punchestown bumper third, where he was actually ahead of Mondoui’boy, he was half a length behind King Rasko Grey who is now rated 146 and clear of the likes of Riskaway, Conman John and Espresso Milan, who have all vastly improved for a hurdle. He will win plenty of races.