Sandstormers: Close but no cigar

Although one of the aims of this article is to provide a review of the week's all-weather action, in truth not a great deal has happened in the last seven days. It feels as though the winter season is going through something of a lull but, fear not, as February 23 sees the running of the Winter Derby Trial which tends to act as a prelude to a better class of horse taking to the sand. That is most certainly something to look forward to but, for now, rather than bore you with the monotony of the past seven days I feel like embarking on a spot of pocket talking.

The pocket in question would have been full to bursting had both Jack My Boy and Haywain managed to go one better than they did but sadly both were destined to finish second. The first mentioned has been in excellent heart of late, finishing in the first pair on each of his four outings this year and managing to win once, though admittedly he was a touch flattered to finish as close as he did to eventual winner Temple Road, who tied up upon hitting the front. Nonetheless Jack My Boy seems certain to go well again given his present form, a point he could prove in the 14:15 at Lingfield on Saturday, and don't be perturbed by the fact that he has gone up a further 3 lb in the handicap as he has gone well off higher marks in the past. 

Haywain was included on the list with the intention of him being sent to Southwell, as I felt his style of racing would be ideally suited to the fibresand. However it came as a pleasant to see the four-year-old manage to put up his best effort yet, having come for some market support, at Wolverhampton, where he finished second to Bussa. Circumstances did not appear to be in his favour that day, with the drop to seven furlongs not expected to suit, but he disproved that theory in no uncertain terms as he travelled well in a prominent position, striking for home two furlongs out before being headed close to the line, pulling clear of the remainder in the process. He strikes as one to keep on side wherever he turns up next, whether it is again over seven furlongs or if he is returned to a mile. 

Chookie Royale also went close, finishing third at Southwell in a race where he was not seen to best effect, and he is another worth bearing in mind. The five-year-old did the best of those held up but failed to land a telling blow, however he is 2-2 at Wolverhampton and will certainly be of interest on his next start if returned to the polytrack. Compton Crofter's finishing position of sixth fails to tell the full story, as he shaped better than the bare result at Kempton on Wednesday evening. His profile isn't the most solid but he is well worth sticking with having been slowly away and not finding himself in the ideal position, prior to staying on in eyecatching fashion, and he remains of interest from this sort of mark. An apprentices's race, next Wednesday at Kempton, could be the next port of call for him. 

Now for the not so good news as Bubbly Braveheart, Tanghan and Fire In Babylon were all disappointments for a variety of reasons. The last mentioned looked to have things in his favour on Saturday but was weak in the betting all morning and was withdrawn prior to the start; he doesn't hold any upcoming entries but is clearly one to watch in the market prior to him taking to the track. Bubbly Braveheart quite simply ran below form dropped to 10 furlongs, a distance which appears to be his optimum, and it may be that he lured me into selecting him with a misleadingly promising effort on his penultimate start, whilst I refuse to accept that Tanghan gave his running on handicap debut last Thursday, racing far too freely before weakening in the straight, and he is not one to give up on just yet.

Despite the last week having lacked in any really fascinating racing there are two horses to add to the list, namely Black Cadillac and Brown Volcano. The former fared much better than of late when finishing third at Lingfield on Saturday, doing quite well to come from a fair way back in a race where they didn't go as quick as might have been expected, but it was the smoothness with which he travelled prior to being forced to switch a furlong out that really caught the eye. A mark of 67 is by no means beyond him and he could exploit that in the 14:50 at Lingfield this coming Saturday, a race in which last week's Sandstormers entrant Haadeeth is also engaged. 

I toyed with the idea of including Brown Volcano after his penultimate start but, for didn't reasons that now escape me. The four-year-old wasn't at his best on his most recent outing but prior to that had been progressing gradually since being switched to this surface; he remains relatively unexposed and it would come as a surprise were he not able to win a handicap off his mark 55. 

We do have a few more entries to deal with but first we must conduct some admin, as Fred Willetts has left the yard of Mark Brisbourne and is now in the care of Donald McCain. The five-year-old made the Sandstormers list and, after three fairly lacklustre efforts, was removed from it but connections presumably think that a switch to timber could rejuvenate him and we must wish him all the best. Regrettably they don't stage National Hunt racing on the all-weather so out interest in his career ceases here, sounds a touch harsh but it's true. 

Right, entries. The William Knight-trained Saoi (please don't ask me how to pronounce it as I haven't a clue) looks set to take his chance in the 16:35 at Lingfield on Saturday and what a chance he has. Heading the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings for the contest the lightly-raced six-year-old really ought to land the hat-trick racing from just a 3 lb higher mark than for his last win, particularly as only a couple of his potential opponents make any real appeal. 

O'Gorman was one of the early additions to Sandstormers and he could make his first start since at Kempton next Wednesday. Clearly at this stage it is difficult to anticipate the final field, with his chances somewhat dependent on the amount of pace present, but he is of interest from his current mark and you would hope that he could go close. 

Finally some exciting news, as this week saw the unveiling of not only the Grand National weights but also those for the Linclon, the traditional Flat season curtain-raiser, and yep, you guessed it, we have an entry! Unfortunately Kaafel seems unlikely to make the cut from his present mark but it is not out of the question that he could win a race or two on the all-weather prior to taking to the turf, for all that he would need to improve to make his mark in a race as competitive as that. However it is a clear indication that the Flat season is just around the corner, which is certainly something to look forward to!

Look out for Brand new features with Timeform Race Passes - In-Play Hints, Running Notes & Warning Horses. Find out more at timeform.com.