One To Watch / Timeform / 06 May 2009 / Leave a comment

Timeform reflect on a race which featured a number of horses from which the best is yet to come...

The digibet.com Handicap at Newcastle on Monday 5th May looked a competitive three-year-old handicap that should throw up winners. The pair that drew away both strong at the head of the market, undoubtedly improved, whilst several behind were unexposed and/or in form too; the gallop made for a sound test in the conditions.

Winner Tiger Reigns is two wins from two this year, and will likely make it three if turned out under a penalty, this a major improvement on his form in maidens, the longer trip looking key, shading another with confidence behind him as the pair drew clear; there may be better to come from him at a mile, and he promises to stay further still.

Runner-up Mr Freddy was strong as favourite and might well have won under a more forceful ride, though, either way, he drew well clear of some in-form rivals with another improver, still looking green under maximum pressure, too; he'll surely make amends if turned out before reassessed, and remains one to keep on the right side, with further improvement to come beyond that.

The winner and the runner-up pulled well clear of Speed Dating whose 's three juvenile starts were condensed into as many weeks and he left that form behind returning, promising better still having looked rusty (every chance a furlong out), though a longer trip may aid him too.

Fourth placed Hawkeyethenoo's four starts as a two-year-old had seemed not to get to the bottom of him and he got back on track returning, promising better approaching the final furlong, as if the run might have been needed, whilst a mile and a quarter may also bring a further advance.

Tapis Wizard was supported with a run behind him and went some way to justifying it with the rapid headway he made from last, flattening out in the end, though offering hope for next time nevertheless, and he won't always come up against the level of competition he did here.