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Our analysts with five to follow - including a Willie Mullins-trained eyecatcher

Willie Mullins: has strong claims in the Gowran feature
Willie Mullins: trainer of Attitash, who showed plenty of promise on his hurdling debutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Our analysts 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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AttitashSecond, Tipperary, Tuesday

Willie Mullins would not have many 85-rated jumpers in his yard and it will be a surprise if Attitash does not end the season with a three-figure rating judged on his second place in the 2m hurdle on his handicap debut.

Although he raced with the choke out for much of the way, he moved stylishly into the lead early in the home straight in testing ground but was run out of it in the closing stages by one showing much-improved form in first-time cheekpieces.

That also represented a chunk of improvement for Attitash and as it was his first run for more than three months, it should have taken the freshness out of him.

He may not be inconvenienced by a sounder surface and there should be ample opportunities for him in modest company this summer. [Richard Young]

Members can click here to watch Attitash's taking second


Withering
Second, Lingfield, Tuesday

Although the bare form of the 6f novice event is nothing special – the first nine home all finished in a heap – there was no mistaking the promise of the Jamie Osborne-trained juvenile, who went off at 50-1 on his debut.

This first foal of an unraced sister to a 5½f to a mile winner in France missed the beat at the start and found himself with a good deal of running to do turning for home.

Jamie Osborne: could have a nice prospect in Withering
Jamie Osborne: could have a nice prospect in WitheringCredit: Sarah Farnsworth

However, he picked up in eyecatching fashion in the last 150 yards and finished to such effect that he was beaten only a nose by an Archie Watson-trained newcomer who got first run on the field.

Withering is sure to have learned plenty from that initial experience and he is unlikely to be inconvenienced by the step up to 7f in due course. He should win a similar event in novice company or in handicaps when the nursery season begins. [Richard Young]

Members can click here to watch Withering's narrow debut defeat


Strangerontheshore
Fifth, Carlisle, Friday

Trained by Nigel Tinkler, this lightly raced filly had very little go right, being kicked down at the start and then finding her path blocked on at least a couple of occasions in the final couple of furlongs when travelling strongly.

She picked up well once in the clear, although her chance had long gone and she could never get to the leaders. Her form is improving steadily with each run this season and the handicapper has given her a chance by dropping her to a mark of 56.

She is one to keep onside in 0-60s over 6f in the coming weeks. [Marcus Buckland]

Members can click here to watch her eyecatching effort


Golden Melody
Third, Catterick, Saturday

Having her third start for Tim Easterby, she struggled to go the early pace and seemed more likely to finish last turning in, but she flew home down the outside and would have finished second in another couple of strides.

She became disappointing after making a winning debut for William Haggas at Haydock last summer before running in the Albany but her new yard, which had a treble at this fixture, appears to be gradually getting her back to her best.

She is well worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks. [David Bellingham]

Members can click here to watch the encouraging performance


Bielsa
Second, Haydock, Saturday

Kevin Ryan has won the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot with York Glory (2013) and Hey Jonesey (last year) and he has good prospects this year with Bielsa, who turned in a fine performance at Haydock when just touched off by Punchbowl Flyer.

Bielsa: the horse and colourful manager's namesake could be bound for Royal Ascot
Bielsa: the horse and colourful manager's namesake could be bound for Royal AscotCredit: Getty Images

Named after the unique Leeds United manager, Bielsa has not had too much racing for a six-year-old – especially a sprinter – but he ran his best race on figures since 2019 when beaten a nose, in the process faring the best of the eight that raced in the centre group.

While he was beaten in the Wokingham last year, he was badly out of form and the stiffer track and the likelier stronger gallop at Ascot will still be more to his liking. He also seems impervious to the state of the ground.

He is on a decent mark, is versatile tactically and heads to Ascot at the top of his game, so there is plenty to like about his prospects. [Richard Young]

Members can click here to watch Bielsa's narrow defeat


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Published on 1 June 2021inNews

Last updated 11:07, 31 May 2021

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