A review of races run from Saturday evening through Monday evening.
19:25 Leicester Saturday 09 May 2026
HANDICAP (5) - Distance : 7f - Prize : £3,664
Rated : (0-70) Age : 4yo+ Race Type : Flat Surface : Turf Going : Good
RACE REPLAY
Tex, returning from a 9 month layoff, still a maiden. Had 5 runs in 2025 and was never more than 3.5 lengths from the winner in each of those races. Two 4th places and 3 - third place finishes.
In this one, reared as the gates opened and a little hop and bump left the horse well behind right from the start. Jockey did not panic and slowly went through the race at a steady pace all the while closing down the gap to the leaders.
Finished off his race well over this 7f trip, suggesting that a step back up to a mile would suit better (All runs in 2025 were 1m+) Placed second just 0.5 lengths from the eventual winner here.
Has an entry in a7f hands and heels apprentice race at Newmarket on 16th May. I will not want to be involved in that race and hopefully he does not win as the opportunity will disappear for us if he steps up in that race, but looking forward, a step up t0 1m+ in a 0-70 with a competent jockey up top, and i will want to get a closer look at this one.
20:25 Leicester Saturday 09 May 2026
HANDICAP (6) - Distance : 1m 53y Prize : £3,140
Rated : (0-65) Age : 4yo+ Race Type : Flat Surface : Turf Going : Good
RACE REPLAY
Up The Jazz, Seems to have fallen to a mark that is workable now. Sat in the rear most of the race and as the pace started to pick up around the 2f mark had to give way to the eventual winner who had made the move slightly earlier than ours and had the right of way, Up The Jazz was last off the bridle and followed through the eventual winner as they went inside the final two furlongs, as the 1f mark approached we were able to finally get rolling and closed all the way to the line not missing by too far in the end. Had the jockey been a little more aware of surroundings a few seconds earlier in the race we may well have won this, but eventually had to settle for a close third. One to be interested against similar going forward.
All three of the horses that filled the first three places in this race are entered for the same race at Redcar on 18th May. The race is a 0-75, so would have to look carefully at better rated horses that may be dangers in that one, Of the three from this race who are entered, I would take Jazz to reverse form with the two in front knowing how that race panned out.
16:00 Catterick Monday 11 May 2026
HANDICAP (6) - Distance : 5f - Prize : £3,926
Rated : (0-55) Age : 4yo+ Race Type : Flat Surface : Turf Going : Good
WATCH REPLAY
Newyorkstateofmind, won three times in 2024 from 13 runs. Though age seems to be catching up with him now, still shows plenty of heart. 19 runs in his 2025 campaign saw no wins, but finished within 1 length of the winner on seven occasions all the while getting drops in his official rating that saw his mark go from a high of 66, down to 52 to close out the year.
2026 after a 6 month break ran off a mark of 50 and was given another 3lbs drop for that, down to 47 now, seems inevitable that the horse should be able to take advantage of this in one or two of these lower grade handicaps at a northern track with older horses running around making up the numbers and trying to provide impossible to win races in which the bookies can take some of the punters money.
Wolvs or Hamilton appear to be the horses best tracks to target. and with the horse having run 98 times, it would not surprise me at all if they don't try and make his 100th run a winning one.
WIll keep an eye on that and see where this one turns up going forward. I have a very soft spot for this big old horses that just keep on giving ... Would love to see him get his head in front again sooner rather than later.
20:30 Wolvs Monday 11 May 2026
HANDICAP (6) - Distance : 1m 142y - Prize : £3,245
Rated : (0-55) Age : 4yo+ Race Type : Flat Surface : Artificial Going : Std
RACE REPLAY
South Kensington. Kirby has had some nice horses to work with for his first season as a trainer, and it looks as though he is not too far away from figuring out the key to this one too. Dropped into a 0-55 for the first time after mark had dropped to 55. Was stepped up in trip again here and unfortunately ran into one in this race. Winner was long gone in this race as they turned into the straight and everything else in behind was racing for the second place. Probably had a good 8 lengths to make up on the leader on the turn and coming into the final furlong was still 7 or so lengths down.
The winner was ridden to the line, so the fact that this one finished only 2.5l down a the line suggests that it might improve again for a stiffer track or even a step up again in distance. Pulled 4.5 lengths clear of the rest inside that final furlong, so should not be too much longer before this takes a race of its own.