Hot To Trot: Hannon one to follow

Flat trainer: Richard Hannon

Richard Hannon has already saddled 10 winners (at the time of writing) in September and with plenty of entries over the coming days, his runners need keeping on the right side.

Hannon has Lexington Quest entered in a nursery at Kempton on Monday and, though the juvenile gelding remains a maiden, the level of form he has achieved makes him stand out, so it would be no surprise were he to break his duck. On Wednesday, Hannon has a battalion of entries at Sandown, and could run three in the listed race over a mile. Tabarrak would have to carry a 4 lb penalty, but would have leading claims based on his runner-up efforts in handicaps the last twice, and a big run could be on the cards. Owned by the Queen, Equal Sum has looked potentially useful in both of her starts, making a winning debut at Wolverhampton in December, and running to a similar level when runner-up to Entitle (half-sister to Enable) under a penalty at Lingfield later that month. She could have more to offer after a break and will be an interesting runner if taking her chance at Chelmsford on Thursday evening.

Jumps trainer: Sam England

On Timeform’s scale, there is not a hotter National Hunt trainer around than Sam England, as the graph below displays. England only has a couple of entries this coming week, but both need monitoring closely.

Raashdy is being kept busy at present, holding an entry in a novice hurdle at Kelso on Wednesday, whilst also having the option of running on the Flat at Newcastle on Friday. He has taken well to hurdling, finishing runner-up on his debut in that sphere before going one place better at Hexham earlier this month. He ran at least as well when filling third position eight days later under a penalty at Kelso, and should continue to give a good account, while he is also on a winning mark on the Flat if connections decide to take that option. England’s other entry also comes at Kelso in the shape of Braavos. He remains a maiden over fences, but is a generally consistent sort, who found only a back-to-form mare too strong at Hexham last time. Braavos hasn’t any secrets from the handicapper, but at least will arrive in good form, and shouldn’t be dismissed.

Under the radar: Richard Hughes

Richard Hughes isn’t having as many winners as he probably should be given the form of his horses, but that could all change soon and it is worth keeping an eye on his entries this week.

Hughes has a couple of entries at Yarmouth on Tuesday, but the pick of them could be Hellovasinger, who was given a considerate introduction at Kempton earlier this month. The winner on that occasion looks a smart sort, and Hellovasinger rates the type to take a big step forward for that initial experience now switch to turf. Ballylemon is another maiden – albeit a different type – who will also be of interest if running at Pontefract on Thursday. He made an encouraging return to action in a handicap at Wolverhampton in April and wasn’t disgraced in a useful contest at Newbury in May. Ballylemon has since been gelded, though, and definitely has the ability to win races.