That was a hell of a weekend of racing which held clues to countless future winners. We’ve cast an eye over the races and come up with these FIVE dark horses for you to put straight into your alerts with a view to following them in races to come in the near future!
Friday at Newmarket – HILLSIDE DREAM
Started off over 5f last month and shaped with promised, and backed that up again here over an extra furlong. A nice looking filly by Dream Ahead, she should have no problem winning her maiden on the back of his 4th place effort, where she was doing her best work at the finish under Luke Morris.
On paper it wasn’t the strongest Listed race, but this little filly won with plenty of authority and the way she stretched out in the final 110 yards was really impressive. She has a willing attitude, clocked a solid speed rating for the grade and should be respected wherever she turns up. Could be a Royal Ascot type for sure.
Saturday at Newbury – TELESCOPE
Despite being a 5yo, Telescope has only run 13 times since 2012 and is still a lightly raced horse. Sir Michael Stoute, as we well know, is a master at bringing his type along steadily to peak at around this age. At Newbury on Saturday, he really powered clear and looked better than ever. He’ll go to the Hardwicke again on route to another tilt at the King George, which he finished 2nd in last season. This could be his year. It could also be the year Stoute sees fit to send him down the Arc route.
[Saturday at Newbury – SALT ISLAND]()
Made a deep impression at the Craven meeting and was fancied to go well up in grade here, but from a low stall he was dropped in under Jamie Spencer and immediately given a great deal to do with all of his main rivals many lengths ahead of him from the outset. Her stayed on very well at the finish and is clearly a horse with a lot of talent. It’ll be fascinating to see how Charlie Hills maps out his season now, but he is a horse well worth following.
Sunday at Navan – AULD ENEMYLY
An expensive yearling, this Fastnet Rock 2yo colt certainly knew his job in the 5f maiden, making light work of his 13/2 price tag. Being a big, long striding horse, he has the scope both to improve again and indeed get further. An entry in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes doesn’t look too fanciful.