TimeformBlog

While the attention of the racing Press has turned firmly to thoughts of Epsom and the prospect of a Royal Derby winner, one jumper during the last week excited almost as much attention on the Betfair forum as Carlton House himself. That was the David Pipe-trained Togiak, in a maiden hurdle at Fontwell on Wednesday, a race won by Cleaver.

Seemingly ridden with plenty of confidence, Togiak came from off the pace in a steadily-run affair, never nearer than his finishing position of fourth, leaving the strong impression he would have won had his run begun sooner. The form may not be that solid and Togiak will now get a stiffer mark than he might otherwise have done but he should still be well treated on his Flat form and he can't fail to win races if kept on the go this summer.

Togiak wasn't the only one to catch the eye in that race, another ex-Flat performer Jezza made good ground late on his hurdling debut after jumping indifferently while the Gary Moore-trained Deux Etoiles travelled well and has more ability than his runs to date indicate.

The handicap hurdle there went to Font, and another having his first start for Lawney Hill, King Ozzy, won a similar event at Bangor on Saturday. This was one of the most competitive races of the week and the manner of his success suggests King Ozzy will be well up to staying ahead of the assessor for a while yet. Fair Gale tried to match strides with him from three out, and looked to be going the better. However, an absence of two years told and he finished only sixth. His mark looks workable on his Flat form and so he seems likely to go a lot closer next time. The third American Art also made a promising return after a lengthy break and is well up to winning a similar event.

A longer-term project on the Bangor card is Tarn Hows, who was making his debut over hurdles in the maiden won by Dineur. Soon a long way off the pace in a race dominated by the first two home but travelling well, Tarn Hows had moved into third when he made a mistake two out, the effort telling after. He was useful in bumpers and may well reach that level once he's handicapping over hurdles.

At Aintree the previous evening, Laterly and A Bridge Too Far were always first and second in the two-mile handicap hurdle, Laterly showing form well up to his best level on the Flat. The manner in which most of the rest were struggling to keep up four out, suggests the pair deserve full credit for their efforts and are best kept on the right side. Furrows, held up, travelled better than the others that gave chase and wasn't knocked about on his handicap debut. However, his mark is stiff and, like his brother Abey M'Boy, he shows signs of not being straightforward. This effort by Furrows was perhaps not so promising as it seems.

Finally, here are some others who could start shorter than they should next time (or just shouldn't be backed under almost any circumstances). Digital Media ended up winning a shocking handicap chase at Uttoxeter by a wide margin against some weak finishers and will surely go up more than he should in the handicap; the unwilling Phoenix Flight got off the mark over hurdles with a change of tactics, making all at Market Rasen, but that was in a weak contest run in a poor time and chances are he will revert to type when faced with any opposition; Rivaliste shaped as if in form over fences at Stratford but as usual made a significant mistake and jumping may well continue to let him down; and Eastern Supreme was well backed yet again, in a weak race over fences at Market Rasen, but ran a shocker - whether his problem is physical or mental (or both) he looks one to leave well alone.

For more racing betting articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/