Hot to Trot: Carr continues to motor on

Flat trainer - Ruth Carr

At the end of June, we highlighted the fact that the good form of Ruth Carr’s horses was flying ‘under the radar’ somewhat. Thanks to her continued success, Carr graduates to the headline act this week. Flash City, one of the horses focused on in the previous article, was one of six winners trained by Carr since, the eight-year-old winning narrowly as a well-backed favourite at Doncaster. Another old-timer, San Cassiano, could potentially have two opportunities to shine, with entries at both Ayr on Monday and Beverley on Tuesday. He has been expensive to follow of late but is now down to a BHA mark of 60 – 9 lb lower than his most recent win in June of 2015. Exotic Guest is also well-handicapped and he is respected returned to Ayr (the scene of his penultimate win), while Chelmsford entry Foxtrot Knight was narrowly beaten at Windsor last time and, having won over C&D before, looks a major player. Hold-up performer Slemy, a winner of two of his last four starts, and Tanawar, who will appreciate the return to a stiffer track at Beverley on Tuesday, are others to note.

Jumps trainer – Henry de Bromhead

Though a return of one winner from eight runners in July (at the time of writing) might not make people sit up and take note, Henry de Bromhead’s horses have actually been in much better form, with a large percentage of his horses over the past month running to form. Interestingly, the trainer’s sole recent winner sported first-time cheekpieces and it would be no surprise to see a change of headgear for Killarney entry Tisamystery sooner rather than later. He was disappointing at Wexford last time but is now on a tempting mark for Tuesday’s Grade C handicap. Stellar Notion also has an entry in the same contest, and the recent Listowel winner looks a more likely candidate given his progressive profile on decent ground. He bounced back to form last time and a 3 lb rise in the handicap looks lenient. The hat-trick-seeking Deans Road and Sizing Knockeen, who shaped well in a bumper on debut, along with Moroval – only beaten 15 lengths by Petit Mouchoir in November – make up a strong Killarney raiding party for the Co. Waterford handler.

Under the radar – Sylvester Kirk

According to Timeform calculations, only three trainers – Ruth Carr, Aidan O’Brien and Roger Charlton – have their horses in better form than those of Sylvester Kirk. At the time of writing, the Upper Lambourn handler has saddled two winners and three placed horses from his last seven runners, including Mr Hobbs who was rewarded for some consistent efforts when breaking his maiden tag by the narrowest of margins at Newbury on Thursday. Interesting entries in the coming days include Neptunes Secret, who caught the eye when green on debut over six furlongs at Epsom on Thursday; he should be wiser for that experience and could head to Windsor on Monday. The fellow Jeff Smith-owned Calypso Choir, who has improved for racing in handicaps, having been highly-tried last season as a two-year-old, has entries at Bath on Tuesday and Sandown on Wednesday. Pacolita, a well-backed winner at Bath on Tuesday, looks to have more to offer at present and she – like Neptunes Secret - has an entry at Windsor on Monday.