Timeform Notebook: King to lead rivals a Merry dance

This week's Notebook horses were in action at Newbury

Timeform highlight three horses from last week's Hennessy meeting that may be worth following...

Kim Bailey has his horses in fantastic form at the moment and it could be worth following his novice chaser Ballywatt over the next couple of months. Making his return from a summer break in a novice handicap chase, Ballywatt, wearing a first-time tongue strap, travelled fluently and looked a real danger entering the straight. A mistake at the fourth-last fence halted his progress slightly but he stayed on well in the closing stages, finding only one too strong. Ballywatt remains unexposed, is open to further progress and hails from a yard in good form; he is well worth keeping onside. 

Ballybough Pat was all the rage on his handicap debut on Friday and, although failing to justify the support, dead-heating for second, he once again displayed plenty of promise, travelling strongly and seeing out the three miles well enough to suggest he can win over the distance. That was only Ballybough Pat's fourth start under Rules and he, therefore, remains open to substantial improvement, particularly in handicap company as he looks to have been allotted a fair mark. 

Despite proving relatively weak in the market, Merry King once again showed improved form, finishing second to Rolling Aces in a contest full of unexposed chasers. His strong-travelling style was again in evidence, racing towards the head of affairs and picking up the running on the approach to the final obstacle. He was overhauled on the run to the line, but he emerged with a great deal of credit, looking as if he may be capable of staying three miles. His effort on Saturday looks like a strong piece of form and Jonjo O'Neill's progressive novice will be of interest on his next start.

Runners Debrief:

Generally we try not to include wide-margin winners in our Notebook as they are plain for all to see. However, such was the impression that Puffin Billy created at Ascot last month we felt obliged to point out just how exciting a prospect Oliver Sherwood's four-year-old was. He made his hurdling debut at Newbury on Friday, comfortably dispatching his rivals, only needing to be pushed out under a hands-and-heels ride to asset, and he could develop into a contender for major honours this season.

Highland Lodge was another horse included on the back of a success and, although failing to win at Newbury, he also shaped well, finishing third in a strong novice chase. His effort was all the more meritorious in light of his stable's patchy form, and his accurate jumping should prove to be an asset throughout the season.

The Welsh National appears to be Teaforthree's primary target this year and there was considerable promise to be taken from his effort in the Hennessy, jumping in typically fluent fashion before being outpaced as they entered the straight. He was given a relatively easy time of things in the closing stages, eventually finishing sixth, and the run should leave him spot on for his big post-Christmas target where he should relish the test of stamina.

Frisco Depot, however, ran with less promise in the Hennessy, his jumping frailties again significantly hindering his chances. He remains well treated but needs to brush up on his fencing if he is to land a decent prize.

Kellystown Lad produced a respectable performance at Doncaster on Friday but was, ultimately, unable to build on his promising reappearance at Chepstow. He may need a bit of luck, avoiding obviously well handicapped sorts, if he is to find a race.

Looking to the week ahead, Yurok, who actually finished just ahead of Merry King on his chasing bow at Carlisle, holds a couple of entries in novice chases. His third-placed effort at Carlisle represented a most satisfactory return from a substantial absence and he should be competitive, although if he takes up his engagement at Kelso he will surely struggle to reverse the form with the exciting Super Duty, another Notebook entrant. 

Saint Roque was in the process of running a good race at Cheltenham when he was brought down at the third-last flight and he should be able to make an impression at Aintree, racing off the same mark of 118. The breathing operation he underwent during summer looks to have made a difference and he could be a much-improved performer this term.

It is good to see that Ifyouletmefinish has been entered over two and a half miles at Aintree. It has always looked like a step up in trip should suit Jeremy Scott's charge and he will hopefully take his chance on Saturday. Marshal Zhukov could return to Chepstow, the scene of his chasing triumph, and he is fortunate not have been raised for his promising effort at Ascot where he folded having made his move far too soon. If ridden with greater restraint, Marshal Zhukov is certainly capable of defying a mark of 130.

Get open access to Timeform data for just 2.50 a day with Timeform Race Passes. It's like a Form Book, Black Book & Race Card all in one! Find Out More!