Horses To Avoid / Timeform / 29 August 2009 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Question marks surround this trio...

The Brian Meehan-trained Rakaan showed progressive form in his first three starts, culminating in an excellent third in the Coventry Stakes behind runaway winner Canford Cliffs. However, the son of Bahamian Bounty has spurned two good opportunities when dropped to maiden company on his last two starts, showing a good deal of temperament, clearly recognised by connections due to the application of blinkers last time. On current evidence, Rakaan would appear flattered by his earlier exploits and looks one to be wary of.

Pictorial, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was unraced as a two-year-old but had looked a potentially progressive colt after two starts, one which his trainer is so adept at dealing with. Pictorial stepped up on an encouraging debut when landing a mile and a quarter maiden at Windsor in June, showing a fairly useful level of form, and shaping as though a step up in trip could unlock further improvement. However, when stepped up to a mile and a half in handicap events on his last two starts, Pictorial has finished tailed off and there seems to be something physically or psychologically amiss.

Bustan was a smart performer in his youth and has still shown a fairly useful level of form this year, at the age of ten. However, there have been increasing signs of temperament on his recent starts, including a tendency to break slowly from the stalls. The application of cheekpieces on his last two starts has yet to produce revival and, in fact, Bustan produced one of the poorest displays of his career last time when well held in a seller. He has plenty to prove now.

Tags: Bustan, Pictorial, Rakaan