WELCOME to our Eyecatchers column! Every week, form expert James Flaherty pinpoints horses primed to strike in the next few weeks, if not days. Remember, you can add James's weekly updates to your ATR Tracker.
MCMANUS RETURNEE A GRADE 1 WINNER-IN-WAITING
MERCI MAM
Merci Mam was another hurdling debutant for the Dan Skelton team to be tenderly handled this season. They seem keen to educate their younger horses, and caution is advised when backing them on their first appearance. Harry Skelton certainly didn’t give Merci Mam the full treatment here.
While I’m unsure if the gelding will live up to his hefty price tag, he certainly showed plenty of promise and looks likely to win his share of races. Double Measure appeared in the column after his debut at Chepstow earlier in the season, and he took a sizable step forward on his next start. I’d expect something similar from Merci Mam.
He looks certain to win a similar contest next time, if that is the route connections decide, although I am interested in him with a view to handicaps in the longer term.
KAWABOOMGA
I thought this was a beautiful return to action from Kawaboomga, his first run since getting the better of William Munny last season. The six-year-old clearly showed he has no ill effects following his setback, and he was the obvious one to take out of this decent contest in my opinion.
In the first silks of JP McManus, he travelled well but jumped a little high at times, possibly showing a lack of match practice in that regard. That lack of sharpness was also evident when the pace lifted here and Kawaboomga found himself on the back foot in a matter of strides, having been in a nice position.
Once Mark Walsh gathered him up and regained momentum, he came home strongly to get closer again at the line, without ever threatening to win the race. I think he’s a Grade 1 winner-in-waiting, and believe that could even be before the end of the season.
NO ORDINARY JOE
No Ordinary Joe had shown very little in several starts for Faye Bramley prior to this. However, undoubtedly helped by a plummeting mark, this was easily his best effort for a while, and he looked as though he might even win for much of the contest.
The former Nicky Henderson inmate travelled powerfully through the race but didn’t quite see out the trip in a race run at a strong pace. I think it may be worth persevering with this distance, especially if they can find one that presents a slightly easier test than this.
It appears that Faye Bramley may have finally unlocked some of his old ability. He hasn’t won a race since December 2022, but the 10-year-old showed enough here to suggest he might just have another win in him.
GIT MAKER
Git Maker caught the eye in the Grand National Trial at Haydock on Saturday, and even though he is now 10 years young, he might have another big day in him. Despite his age, he has only had 12 starts over fences, and I certainly don’t think he’s showing any signs of decline.
He struggled a little early on, perhaps on the ground as Haydock didn’t ride anything like as soft as the forecast conditions. Git Maker was eye-catching up the home straight though, staying on nicely to finish a never nearer fifth, only beaten four lengths.
Like No Ordinary Joe, he hasn’t won in a long time, but this was his best effort in the last couple of years (lightly raced during that time). He might just turn up at a decent price in a handicap soon.
MINELLA EMPEROR
Minella Emperor was close to making this column on his latest start, and he simply has to be included after another eye-catching effort at Haydock on Saturday. He is now Pertemps qualified but I’m not sure that is the right race for him at this stage of his career.
While he was tenderly handled in the closing stages, he doesn’t look the most straightforward, and he’s clearly still quite green. He hung badly at Thurles last time when he seemed unrideable at times and while he was better here, he still had his moments.
He was niggled at times through the race, but I think his jockey accepted defeat rather easily and he wasn’t given a hard time in the closing stages. I don’t know if I would fancy him to handle Cheltenham, but I do think there is a nice handicap in him.
THANKSFORTHEHELP
Thanksforthehelp also caught the eye in the same race for slightly different reasons. While he has won over this trip, I think he’s a better horse over shorter, with his last two wins having come over the intermediate distance.
Thanksforthehelp tanked through this race at the back of the field, but when the question was asked in the straight he was unable to find the answer as his effort flattened out. It was a weak finish in truth, eventually beaten over 15 lengths, but I’m willing to forgive that.
He ran off a mark of 122 here but help from the handicapper is surely on the way, and that would make him very interesting if connections did drop him back in distance. A trip to Punchestown later in the season may well be on the cards having been an impressive winner there last season.
