Horses In Focus / Timeform / 18 August 2009 / Leave a comment

Timeform take a close look at two horses that have been in excellent form of late...

Balthazaar's Gift bounced back to his very best when winning the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. The son of Xaar has thrived in four runs since returned from Dubai for new trainer Clive Cox and he deserves plenty of credit for this improvement in both consistency and merit, especially given the trainers he'd run for previously. He looks very much a contender for the Park Stakes whilst in this form.

Markab finally gained a big-race success when coming out on top in a tight finish to the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Stakes at Ripon this weekend. Henry Candy's gelding emerged with immense credit in both the Wokingham and Stewards Cup before Saturday's success. Once again things did not go entirely his way, firstly overcoming a less than ideal draw this time and then caught towards the middle of the track as opposed to the second and third who raced towards the favoured rail. Markab travelled powerfully throughout, however, and was always just doing enough. This victory confirmed that he has developed into a smart performer this year and a crack at listed/pattern company should be on the agenda before long.

Tags: Balthazaar's Gift, Horseracing betting, Horseracing Tips, Markab, Timeform's Horses In Focus