'A high-class colt in the making' - our analysts with five horses to note

The Racing Post analysis team pick out five horses who caught their eye last week. Members can view the race replays and add these horses to their Racing Post Tracker.

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Irv
Fifth, Pontefract, Monday

Irv endured a nightmare run in the straight and would surely have gone very close to winning this mile handicap had he been able to find any daylight in the final furlong.

The Micky Hammond-trained five-year-old was making his reappearance following a largely disappointing campaign last season, but he has become very well handicapped as a consequence, having dropped 6lb below his last winning mark and 13lb below his peak rating.

Seemingly back in good heart again now, he should have no problem recouping these losses granted better fortune. [Marcus Buckland]

Members can watch the replay here

Alfred Boucher
Third, Epsom, Tuesday

Alfred Boucher ran a number of good races in defeat last year and this was another fine effort on his reappearance.

The five-year-old, trained by Henry Candy, has not won since August 2019, but finished in the first four in five of his six races last season, all but one of those runs coming in double-figure fields.

On this occasion he finished a length-and-a-half third behind Victory Chime, faring best of those from off the modest pace behind two race-fit rivals to suggest he should be putting right his barren streak this term. [Ron Wood]

Members can watch the replay here

Blue Cup
Fifth, Epsom, Tuesday

In the same race as Alfred Boucher, Blue Cup was another to go into the notebook after finishing fifth.

Having his first start since August, the David Menuisier-trained five-year-old raced keenly, well off the modest pace, and got no run at all in the straight. His rider was only able to nudge him along, continually finding traffic, before having to ease off completely late on.

David Menuisier: could have a good season with Blue CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Blue Cup ran just three times for Menuisier last season following his move from France and proved very well handicapped when winning by five lengths at Sandown off a mark of 77. He was 16lb higher here but it looks like there could be more to come. [Ron Wood]

Members can watch the replay here

Stowell
Second, Lingfield, Wednesday

Stowell was certainly the most controversial eyecatcher of last week but he could also prove to be one of the most profitable to follow in the long term.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained newcomer left the strong impression he should have won this 1m4f novice. Despite meeting a spot of trouble rounding the home turn, this close relation to the yard's former Galtres winner Martlet made up a fair bit of ground in the closing stages under a considerate ride to get within a head of his stablemate Polling Day, who got first run. His rider, Robert Havlin, was subsequently banned for 21 days.

Although the son of Zoffany was described as "fragile", it will be a big surprise if he does not leave the bare form of this race well behind and he is sure to win races. [Richard Young]

Members can watch the replay here

Adayar
Second, Sandown, Friday

Adayar was the one to take out of Sandown's Classic Trial as he shaped as though he was a fair bit better than the bare facts of the race imply on his reappearance.

Having his first run on a sound surface and his first over 1m2f, Godolphin's strapping son of Frankel – and out of a mare who was beaten a head in the Irish 1,000 Guineas – was the only horse to make up any ground from the rear.

Adayar (red cap): encouraging run at Sandown on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

He deserves plenty of credit for getting as close as he did and his pedigree suggests he'll be equally effective over 1m4f. Given his conformation, the Irish Derby might be a better option than the English equivalent but, whichever race he goes for, he's certainly a high-class colt in the making. [Richard Young]

Members can watch the replay here

Read more:

'He's bang up there' – Mutasaabeq to be supplemented for Qipco 2,000 Guineas

What's on this week: Punchestown and the Guineas headline a stunning seven days

'He is handicapped to win' – Racing Post analysts with four horses to follow

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