Sand Stormers: Some Humans to follow this winter

Sand Stormers / Timeform / 06 November 2011 / Leave a Comment

A couple of horses from Lingfield last week caught Paul's eye

"That strike-rate suggests Coyle has a keen eye for placing his horses in the right races and that should stand him in good stead this winter."

Paul Smith looks back at the last week and highlights a couple of trainers and a jockey to follow in the coming months...

The turf season comes to an end at the weekend and after a couple of day's rest for the weary jockeys, the all-weather campaign kicks off at Southwell on Wednesday.

The winter has often been a breeding ground for future stars and there is no reason why this season would be any different.

Pinpointing the up-and-coming yards and riders is usually a profitable business and three who appear to fit the bill this time round are Tony Coyle, Ed de Giles and Nicole Nordblad.

Tony Coyle, a former jump jockey, saddled his first runner in July and since then, he has been responsible for eight winners from just 35 runners.

That strike-rate suggests Coyle has a keen eye for placing his horses in the right races and that should stand him in good stead this winter.

Interestingly, he is now the trainer of River Dragon, who briefly appeared in the horses-to-follow list last winter, and he seems to have found the key to him - he will be one to keep an eye on if turning out at Southwell this winter.

Ed de Giles received a favourable mention last week with Greek Islands particularly interesting once upped in trip.

De Giles also has the multiple Polytrack winner Mahadee amongst his team and he showed enough on turf this summer to think he would pay his way in some of the better events this winter.

Nicole Nordblad had her first ride for an outside stable when finishing second on Conducting at Newmarket on Friday and she looks very good value for her 7lb claim.

She showed good judgement of pace to guide Holly Martins home at Kempton last week, refusing to panic when challenged late, and I suspect we will be hearing a lot more about her in the coming months.

So that's the human eye catchers sorted out - what of the horses to make an impression last week?

There are two new additions to the list, namely Flag of Glory and Aiaam Al Wafa, who both shaped with more encouragement than their finishing positions would suggest at Lingfield on Thursday.

Flag of Glory was an unfancied 33/1 shot on his first run for Peter Hiatt but he was still bang in contention turning for home before a lack of peak fitness seemed to take its toll.
He might need another run before being seen to very best effect but he is still on a manageable mark and Hiatt has achieved plenty of success with horses with less latent ability than this one.

Aiaam Al Wafa was having her third run and suffered a troubled passage up the inner in the maiden won by Rhagori. She looks a sure-fire improver when switched to handicaps and although she may be put away for a turf campaign next summer, her pedigree - she is a half-sister to a couple of useful Polytrack performers - suggests she should be kept ticking over on the All Weather

Unfortunately none of the 10 horses to follow holds an engagement in the current week so there is no Sand Stormers Nap.

LIST OF HORSES TO FOLLOW

Aiaam Al Wafa (likely big improver when switched to handicaps (27/10))
Adorable Choice (underrated filly who did well to last as long as she did at Newbury (21/10))
Bond Fastrac (still well handicapped on old form and good second at Nottingham (11/10))
Conducting (better than the result on both 17/9 and 12/10)
Even Stevens (looked Fibresand monster (22/3))Flag Of Glory (shaped nicely on first run for Peter Hiatt (27/10); can do better)
Greek Islands (looked worth upping in trip (12/10))
Intransigent (related to smart AW performer and promise on debut (10/10))
Kames Park (no chance the way he was ridden in slowly run race (12/10))
Priestley's Reward (ran best race so far when second on All Weather debut (22/10))