TWE Eye-Catchers Of The Week - 31/10/22

The first horse that took the eye this week was the Tom Lacey trained Blow Your Wad who travelled much the best in the Novices' Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday but could not see off strong favourite Leave Of Absence.

A smart bumper horse last term when finishing second on debut in January at Warwick behind the highly talented Luccia for Nicky Henderson and backing that up with another good second behind a promising type for Paul Nicholls.

Sent into the Grade Two bumper at Aintree's Grand National meeting when last seen he was a valiant fourth of 18 in a bunched finish.

Travelling strongly, jumping well when seen on hurdles debut he looks an exceptional talent that will come on for the run and although being beaten, he was clear of the third by 10 lengths.

He will be winning races very soon.

Next up is a horse who ran at Chepstow on Wednesday and looks a very interesting type when stepping into handicap company, having shown glimpses of form in Novice and Maiden Company.

Having his first run of the season having not broken his maiden tag last term, he was dropped to two miles at Chepstow and gave his best performance to date when fourth of 13, when being given an easy time of things, staying on nicely at the end.

Set to be given a very lenient mark he can make his presence felt when going into handicap company up in trip.

Interesting one to keep an eye on.

Another runner at Ascot on Saturday that was an unlucky loser and could be one for next time out is the Chris Gordon trained Alto Alto.

The trainer had a good time of things at the Berkshire track on the day with two winners and a second and that second was this horse.

A superb third on his final start of last term in the Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in April, finishing behind the likes of Knappers Hill and Boombawn, who have both won on seasonal debut this term to frank the form.

He was looking to do the same on Saturday and having travelled well just got done outdone close home, with the winner being 18lb essentially lighter.

The only horse in the blog from the flat this week is the Charlie & Mark Johnston trained Downtown Dubai, who now trying himself in handicap company will be a winner in waiting.

Showing very average form on all three of his runs in Maiden and Novice company, sent handicapping at Wolverhampton on Saturday he gave his best run to date when upped to 7f finishing third behind Drafted who held some nice form.

The colt absolutely flew home late on and just looked a massive eye-catcher.

Law Ella on Sunday for Gavin Cromwell at Galway looked a winner in waiting holding some very promising bumper form and converted that to hurdles when bumping into the expensive talent for Gordon Elliott Deeply Superficial.

A winner at Down Royal in March in a Mares bumper when bolting up, she then went to Aintree at the end of last season and finished a valiant second to the talented Ashroe Diamond for Willie Mullins in the Grade Two Mares bumper.

Sent hurdling this term she stayed on well behind the highly talented prospect for Gordon Elliott and that should turn out to be very good form.

One to keep an eye on.

Finally, on Sunday Carlisle showed off some great racing in testing conditions and in the finale event Fuji Rocks for trainer Fergal O'Brien looks a horse with a big future on better ground.

Third in a bumper on good ground when first seen this season at Perth in September, he again finished third at the weekend at Carlisle behind two smart types in the Perculator and Blue Ridge Hill.

Travelling beautifully throughout the race he did not find as much as we hoped but maybe getting stuck in the mud seeing him on less testing conditions might be what he needs.

Exciting prospect for a trainer that does well with his bumper horses.