Timeform Notebook: Alexander's hurdler a Golden pick

A fair performer on the Flat, Goldtrek has taken a while to get her act together over hurdles, failing to make any notable impression on her first five attempts over timber. However, she was much improved on her penultimate start, winning a handicap hurdle at Musselburgh with a bit in hand, and her latest effort, when finishing second at the same venue, gives further reason to suspect that she remains well treated in this sphere. On paper, the three-mile trip looked like a concern, but she seemed to stay well enough which will give her handler, Nick Alexander, plenty of options as she is certainly capable of dropping back down to two-and-a-half miles.

A half-brother to the useful Son Amix, Un Ami has shaped as if possessing ability in his short career to date, catching the eye as much as any at Chepstow despite finishing only fourth. On his return from an eight-month break, the Nick Williams-trained runner travelled particularly strongly and held every chance at the third-last flight, but wasn't fluent and failed to recover, beaten about five lengths at the line. He is clearly open to considerable improvement and should benefit from the experience, so is very much one to keep on the right side of. 

It is rare to see Venetia Williams have three-year-olds in training on the Flat, so it is perhaps telling that Zamdy Man was showing enough at home to warrant a campaign on the level, running four times and showing fairly useful form in the process, winning a Newmarket maiden by four lengths. Thrown into Grade 1 company on his first start over hurdles at Chepstow, Zamdy Man travelled extremely well, looking a threat as they entered the straight, but a lack of fitness possibly told as he weakened in the final couple of furlongs, eventually finishing in fifth. There was plenty of encouragement to take from that initial effort and, given his lightly-raced profile, there is every reason to suspect he will improve markedly on the bare form.

Runners Debrief:

Royal Boy and Court Minstrel had caught the eye at Cheltenham and were both in action in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday. Neither could make an impression, finishing third and fourth respectively, but remain with plenty of potential, particularly the latter, who is now qualified to run in the major handicaps and reportedly has the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a long-term target. Royal Boy didn't build on his promising introduction, but it is possible the race came plenty soon enough for him and he is certainly not worth giving up on.

Teaforthree was added to the Notebook as a potential Welsh National prospect after an encouraging return to action at Cheltenham in November and he very nearly justified his inclusion, finishing an admirable second to Monbeg Dude, who benefitted from an inspired ride from Paul Carberry. Teaforthree is a bold-jumping galloper who stays very well and, though his handicap mark will surely rise, he has to be a strong contender for the Grand National.

Turned out quickly before going up in the weights, Ifyouletmefinish was a bit below his best at Sandown, albeit not disgraced in finishing third. The drop back in trip was probably against Jeremy Scott's charge and the return to a more suitable distance should ensure he continues his largely progressive profile.

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