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Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day

Timeform Eyecatcher of the Day: Horse racing tracker selection


Check out the latest Timeform Eyecatchers and add them to your free My Stable tracker.

Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday

KARNIQUET

Runner-up, Grade 1 Brave Inca Novice Hurdle, Sunday 2 February

There was yet more evidence of the Mullins domination at the Dublin Racing Festival and in general as, just 24 hours after Final Demand had posted a novice hurdle performance that ought to have been insurmountable, Kopek des Bordes created an even bigger impression as he obliterated a good-quality bunch in even more dominant fashion in this Grade 1.

There are reasons to be positive about his stablemate and runner-up Karniquet, too, who shaped very well in behind despite being no match for Kopek des Bordes.

He disappointed on his previous start in Grade 1 company, but very much got back on the up here, travelling smoothly but still having plenty to do jumping two from home, and staying on well without posing a real threat. He will be of serious interest in a County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival assuming this means Grade 1 pretensions are shelved.


Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday

IGNITION

Third, 1m½f handicap, Wolverhampton, Saturday 1 February

Ignition was well backed with blinkers applied for the first time and he looked unlucky not to reward that support.

Ignition was short of room when trying to make headway around the bend and had to be snatched up, losing ground and momentum at a crucial part of the race.

He stayed on strongly when switched in the straight, however, and was beaten only a short head and a head in third. He saw things out thoroughly and remains unexposed at this sort trip, while he could still have more to offer for his new yard after only two starts for the stable.


Timeform Eyecatcher: Friday

WE GOT YOUR BACK

Won, 2m handicap chase, Catterick, Friday 31 January

We Got Your Back has really got his act together over fences recently, taking advantage of a reduced mark on his return from four months off at Leicester over Christmas, and he was well backed to follow up at Catterick on Friday.

He did so in good style, too, creeping into contention down the back straight and in a good position to attack at the business end of the race.

We Got Your Back jumped into the lead at the last and asserted away on the run-in, leaving the impression he's got an even bigger performance in his locker, while he'll remain well treated on the pick of his hurdling exploits after another rise in the weights.


Timeform Eyecatcher: Thursday

ROHAAN

Fourth, 6f handicap, Southwell, Thursday 30 January

They didn't go a particularly strong gallop by sprint standards in this useful handicap and well-treated sorts filled three of the first four places, the winner taking advantage of a mark that's tumbled in the last year or so, while Rohaan in fourth caught the eye form further back than the trio ahead of him.

Indeed, Rohaan has been on the slide since finishing third in a competitive handicap at Ascot in September, but he is looking dangerously well treated now, and this latest run signalled he may be returning to form.

He wasn't suited by the steady pace, travelling as well as any, but still having plenty to do two furlongs out, and staying on well to the line to finish never nearer than at the finish. Rohaan does need things to drop right, but he's handicapped to strike sooner rather than later, especially if finding an opportunity back at Newcastle.


Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday

OPERA BALLO

Won, 1m maiden, Kempton, Wednesday 29 January

This was a one-sided maiden won in impressive fashion by debutant Opera Ballo, and it is a significant one given this race last year saw the introduction of subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech by the same connections.

The well-bred colt was very strong in the betting and made a most taking debut, quickly away and travelling well in a prominent position before displaying a smart turn of foot to quickly stretch clear of his rivals.

Opera Ballo bounded clear in the final furlong in the manner of a smart prospect, running to quite a high level for a debutant, and he seems sure to go on to much better things whether that be in the short or long term.


Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday

LAWRENNY

Runner-up, 2½m novice hurdle, Tuesday 28 January

Lawrenny failed to defy a penalty for his win at Wetherby last month but he showed improved form in defeat and should carry on progressing.

Lawrenny lost out by a neck to hurdling debutant Jupiter des Mottes, who had looked a good prospect when winning a bumper on his only previous outing for his former yard, but he stuck to his task in pleasing style and did well to pull nine and a half lengths clear of the third in a race run at a steady pace.

He has shown run-by-run improvement over hurdles - just like he did in bumpers - and he appeals as one likely to be of interest when entering handicaps.


Timeform Eyecatcher: Monday

PAPA COCKTAIL

Sixth, 6f handicap, Wolverhampton, Monday 27 January

Papa Cocktail continues to edge down the weights but he shaped with promise at Wolverhampton where he made good headway in the straight and would have finished slightly closer had he not met some trouble inside the final furlong.

The modest tempo by sprint standards also counted against Papa Cocktail who was typically held up, and he is one to watch out for mindful that he had also shaped well when fourth at Southwell three starts ago.

He competed on Monday off a mark 7 lb lower than the one he last defied for his former stable so he is clearly on a handy mark if building on this encouragement.


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