Hot To Trot: Elementary my dear Watson

Flat Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor  (Click name to see full list of entries)

The Saeed bin Suroor yard has developed a bit of a habit of rallying late into the year in terms of hi string running to form, as the graph below shows, and they are finishing 2018 strongly.

The yard has three entries on Monday, including Island Jungle, who is entered in a novice race at Redcar. He has shown fair form in two starts so far, taking a step forward when finishing fourth at Haydock last month. He’s still learning, having been too green to do himself justice on debut at Brighton, but he’s bred to be useful (half-brother to useful 2-y-o 1m winner Brutal) and will be a big player in this with more to come, particularly as his stamina is drawn out. Also entered on Monday is Al Mikdam, who is due to run at Chelmsford. Like Island Jungle, he has shaped as in need of the experience in two starts so far, but his most recent run to finish third at Wolverhampton just over a fortnight ago was encouraging, and he is up to winning a similar contest.

On Tuesday, both Laieth and Cantiniere hold entries in a novice contest at Wolverhampton. The latter makes some appeal on paper and is worth a check in the market on debut, though Laieth, who is also entered at Kempton on Wednesday, would be of more interest. We haven’t seen him since he opened his account at the second attempt at Wolverhampton last October, but he appealed as one to be a lot better than this level in time, and should be up to following up if ready to go after an absence. On Wednesday, Welsh Lord is due to make his first start in handicap company at Kempton. He failed to justify odds on favouritism at Lingfield last time, but was only beaten by a hugely improved rival that day, finishing clear of the rest, and is one to track with improvement expected. Last but not least, Silent Hunter offered plenty to work with on debut at Lingfield at the beginning of the month, and will be of interest stepped up to a mile if taking his chance at Nottingham on Wednesday.

Jumps Trainer: Neil King

Neil King has made a blistering start to the Jumps season, and his string are currently performing well above his five year average – as the below graph shows.

King has several entries next week, including Little Millie, who is due to run at Chepstow on Tuesday. She was in good heart over the summer, finishing third on her most recent start at Worcester in June, though she’s starting to look slightly exposed from her current mark. On Wednesday, King has four at entries at Fakenham, the most interesting of which being Canford Thompson, who justified strong market support to resume winning ways in an amateur contest at Stratford last week. He was a commanding winner that day, and whilst raised 11 lb for that by the handicapper, he should make a bold bid to follow up. At Stratford, Elysian Prince has an entry on Thursday. He was lit up in first-time blinkers, but turned in his best effort of the season to finish second at Exeter last time, and will remain competitive in the same sphere.

Under The Radar: Archie Watson

Archie Watson’s training career is still in its infancy, but he has made a solid start so far, and his string are in good form at the moment – as the below graph shows.

Watson has several interesting entries next week, beginning with It’s All A Joke, who is due to run at Chelmsford on Monday night. He had become slightly disappointing with Ger Lyons, but the switch to Watson’s yard has revitalised him, and he had excuses when only fifth at Chelmsford last time. There are races to be won with him and he’s worth sticking with for the time being. Orchid Killer couldn’t improve on her promising debut when third at Chemlsford last time, but she is professional for one with just two starts under her belt and she would be of interest if taking up either of her entries next week; at Leicester on Monday and Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Kheros is due to make his debut at Kempton. He makes plenty of appeal on paper (half-brother smart 7f-1m winner Crack On Crack On), and is worth a check in the market should he take his chance. Last but not least, It's Not Unusual showed improved form to get off the mark at Chelmsford on Thursday, the switch back to all-weather a big plus, and considering the improvement she's shown for the addition of headgear, she may be able to remain competitive under a penalty.