'He looked an unlucky loser' - why these are the horses to follow from last week

Welcome to Winners In Waiting, a new weekly round-up of all the horses our expert race-readers have noted as being runners to follow.

Our experienced team watch – and write a descriptive in-running comment – for every horse who runs in Britain and Ireland.

There are three different categories, each relating to a specific in-running comment our race-readers use to denote those who appear most interesting with the future in mind.

Members' Club Ultimate subscribers can add the names of the horses mentioned to their Racing Post Horse Tracker and will then receive email alerts when they are entered or declared again.

The horses will remain on our list until their next start, as well as being flagged in Signposts, which can be found in the Racing Post newspaper or online as part of Members' Club on raceday. It is hoped the list will prove a strong source of winners in the months ahead.

Non-members can sign up here to get the tracker, race replays and in-depth race analysis, as well as exclusive content from our team of tipsters and writers.

EYECATCHERS

Cotai West
Second, Wolverhampton, April 18

A half-sister to seven winners who showed some ability on her one start at two, looked unlucky not to make a winning return. She didn't get away that well and raced towards the back. With the early pace fairly modest (winner made all), she wasn't ideally positioned, and then she ran into traffic problems in the straight. There was plenty to like about the way she finished her race off, though, and she should find compensation soon.

Watch Cotai West produce a good finish after finding traffic

Fresh
Second, Kempton, April 18

On his seasonal reappearance, made up a lot of ground from the back of the field and was only just denied. This was right up with his best previous runs, and he ought to be competitive in big sprint handicaps again this season.

See Fresh narrowly denied on reappearance

Viewfromthestars
Sixth, Wolverhampton, April 19

Didn't go unbacked on his debut at Windsor in August but ran green and finished well beaten. Gelded afterwards, he shaped with promise on his reappearance here. Keen out the back in a race in which the pace held up, he was stuck behind weakening rivals on the bend and only got into the clear with just over a furlong to run. He stayed on without having a hard race and hinted that he'll be of interest in handicaps after one more run.

Watch Viewfromthestars get in to all sorts of trouble

Roger Teal: trainer of ViewfromthestarsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gracelands Girl
Third, Catterick, April 20

Weak in the market on her debut, was out the back most of the way but ran on strongly in the closing stages, narrowly missing out on the runner-up spot. A sister to a 1m winner, she ought to get a bit further, and should come on for this.

View Gracelands Girl produce good late work on debut

Cappoquin
Fourth, Lingfield, April 20

Caught the eye for the third time in as many starts. Outpaced and forced wide on the home turn, she made good late gains and, considering her pedigree (half-sister to three winners including Group 3-winning stayer Lismore), she's likely to prove a different proposition in handicaps over further.

See Cappoquin stay on after being pushed very wide

Mersea
Fifth, Beverley, April 21

Could be well bought for just 5,000euros as she caught the eye in no uncertain terms on her debut, strong at the finish having been short of room when full of running. She might have been second had things worked out differently, and she should prove capable of landing a similar event.

Watch bargain buy Mersea produce an eyecatching debut

Crystal Delight
Third, Leicester, April 23

A well-bred colt by New Approach out of a three-time Group 2 winner, herself a half-sister to Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Crystal Ocean and Canadian 1m4f Grade 1 winner Hillstar. He shaped with plenty of encouragement on his debut, keeping on for third, and should find an opening soon.

View Crystal Delight make an encouraging debut behind a Derby entrant

Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Delight makes an eyecatching debutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tothenines
Second, Doncaster, April 23

Finished runner-up to the subsequent Weatherbys Super Sprint winner on his debut just over a year ago. Gelded since, he moved kindly through the contest but couldn't quicken as well as the winner. This was a sound return and he can win something similar.

See Tothenines make a solid reappearance

DID WELL IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES

Mellificent
Second, Fairyhouse, April 18

Taking on experienced rivals with winning form, shaped with plenty of promise on her debut. She got squeezed out and dropped to the rear turning in so her jockey had to gamble going up the inner. However, she had the gears to take the gaps and made up a tremendous amount of ground. She is clearly of above-average ability and should have no trouble winning a bumper.

Watch Mellificent produce a fast finish to take second

Thegreatestshowman
Second, Epsom, April 19

Did best of those who raced up with the pace in a race that was run at a good gallop and set up for the closers. He's one to be interested in over the coming weeks. He appreciates fast ground on turf.

View Thegreatestshowman get picked up late on

Thegreatestshowman (middle) sticks on well after being up with fast paceCredit: Mike Egerton (Getty Images)

Fourth, Wolverhampton, April 19

Back from a little break having rejoined John Butler, shaped well in defeat considering he had a wider trip than ideal. He's fairly treated on last year's best.

See Griggy produce a good effort back from a break

Nomadic Empire
Third, Ripon, April 23

Making his reappearance having been gelded over the winter, he was slightly hampered at the start but travelled strongly. However, he had nowhere to go from over 2f out until inside the final furlong. Once in the clear he quickened up really well and looked an unlucky loser. He's one to bear in mind next time, with a race at York likely to be on his horizon.

Watch Nomadic Empire quicken after having nowhere to go

PROMISING

Awaal
Third, Wolverhampton, April 19

A 350,000gns breeze-up purchase and a half-brother to four winners including three-time 7f Group 2 winner Breton Rock, this son of Lope De Vega posted an encouraging effort on his debut, the only one of the principals to make up significant ground in a race in which the places didn't change a great deal. And he did that after getting a hefty bump early in the straight. He looks sure to build on this and go on to win races.

See the well-bred Awaal make a debut full of promise

Bara Lacha
Third, Beverley, April 21

The first foal of a 6f-7f winner, she was doing her best work at the finish and should build on this promising debut, particularly when getting the opportunity to step up in distance.

Watch Bara Lacha put in her best work late on debut

Now read these . . .

'We were on the razz and I was persuaded' – Nicholls becomes an owner with Hills

Harry Derham: my time with Paul Nicholls is up – and what a time it has been

Confirmed runners and riders for the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday

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