It’s been the calm before the storm ahead of British Champions Day in the racing sphere, but there was still some informative action throughout the day. Here are four standout performers from the day’s action.
Four Standout Performers - 19/10/2018
FEARSOME – 3:40 FAKENHAM
Olly Murphy was mob handed in the Follow At The Races On Twitter Novices’ Hurdle, but his 2/9 favourite was comprehensively smashed by Fearsome.
The Nick Littmoden-trained four-year-old had shown relatively little signs of promise on his flat form, and his one start over hurdles he finished a modest fifth at Warwick.
Whatever brought him to life here saw a rejuvenated horse, storming clear by 18 lengths to sweep up the £5000 first prize.
Fakenham is normally known as a horse for courses venue, so it may be a case of fearsome loves the course, but this was a performance that certainly caught the eye.
WELCOMING – 2:30 HAYDOCK
Haydock heavy ground normally requires a horse who is virtually able to swim to run well, and Welcoming certainly showed an aptitude for bottomless ground with a convincing victory.
Despite the time being six seconds slower than standard, the filly improved on her previous good form to finally break her maiden tag at the third time of asking.
It’ll be interesting to see if she runs again this season, but she has shown her versatility ground-wise and the potential to vary from sprint distance to a mile, Welcoming looks set to compete for black type next season.
COLLODI – 2:15 FAKENHAM
Just like our first standout performer of the day, the Norfolk venue seems to take a certain kind of horse to excel there.
The nine-year-olds first start here proved to be a winning one, cantering to victory to a very easy 22-length success.
While it was only a seller, the performance was pleasing to the eye, and with the vast amount of sellers across the country – Fakenham in particular – Collodi may prove to be a money spinner at this level.
ALEMERATALYOUM – 3:35 HAYDOCK
He may be a pronunciation nightmare for the commentators, but Alemeratalyoum could feature at a higher level next season after another class two handicap victory…just.
Another horse who is versatile on all forms of ground, he managed to get up in the dying strides to give himself a hat-trick of successes at the Merseyside venue this season.
He’s slowly progressed his way up the handicap ladder this season, and under the expertise of Ian Jardine, Alemeratalyoum will have some valuable handicap pots in his sights next season.