The Flat season kicked off properly at the weekend, and Ed Quigley aka ‘Longshot Ted’ gives us 5 Horses to keep in our notepads for the next few months

1. Maghlaak (Charlie Hills)

An exciting prospect heading into the summer. Out of 1000 Guineas winner Ghanaati, by top class sprinter Muhaarar, the 4-year-old didn’t make it to the track as a 2-year-old, but is making up for lost time.

The colt had a fruitful campaign last season, finishing third on his debut at Kempton in August, before getting the job done in taking style over the same C&D next time out. He was then thrown in the deep end in many respects, when stepping up to 1m2f on Soft ground for his turf debut at Goodwood only 3 weeks later but he didn’t falter. He made all in a tactical battle on a testing surface, and showed fantastic resolve and will to win when fending off all comers in closing stages, to scramble home by a neck.

Connections were understandably delighted given that he had only made his racecourse debut a month earlier – Maghlaak appeared to have an old head on young shoulders. He has been given a BHA mark of 86, and there are all sorts of possibilities moving forward. His form looks decent, and the horse he was third to on debut is now rated 102 so there is a robustness to his CV.

If he can win again and get nudged up a few more pounds, something like the Royal Hunt Cup could be on the radar – his full brother Afaak won that race in 2019, so maybe that is a route they will go down. Maghlaak was entered at Town Moor over the weekend but didn’t take up his engagement, but keep your eyes peeled, he is one to have onside.

2. Electric Eyes (Karl Burke)

The twice-raced daughter of Siyouni, battled to victory on debut at Thirsk, before putting in an excellent effort in defeat in the Rockfel, when looking a bit tapped for toe over the 7f. Naturally, 1m targets will be the next port of call, and owner Steve Parkin has gone on record to say he has backed his filly to win the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The manner in which she hit the line on her final start as a 2-year-old suggests there should be more improvement to come over 1m. Even if she doesn’t make the Grade in the Classics, there will be plenty of other options for her going forward and rates and exciting prospect.

3. Epictetus (John & Thady Gosden)

This son of Kingman made a very taking impression on his racecourse debut last summer on Newmarket’s July Course. Sent off a largely unconsidered 11/1 poke in the hands of Martin Harley, he travelled menacingly well, before quickening up nicely to get the job in fantastic style.

Gosden senior, admitting in the post-race debrief, that the performance took him ‘a little but by surprise’. It was a fair performance to land that contest – a race in which the form is working out very well. Therefore, it has been no surprise to see Epictetus run a couple of crackers in defeat having been fast-tracked up to higher grades. He was beaten a neck in a Group 3 on his next start, and followed that up with an excellent run on his first start in Group 1 company, when runner up to Auguste Rodin at Doncaster.

After looking a little outpaced and a bit short of room at a crucial time, he galloped all the way to the line, he gave every impression on the back of that effort moving up in trip to 10f or even 12f would suit. The son of Kingman holds entries in both the English and Irish Derby, and it will be fascinating which route he takes. If he ended up in the Dante next month it wouldn’t be a surprise. A smart colt with a bright future.

4. Emily Dickinson (Aidan O’Brien)

With star-stayer Kyprios unlikely to be seen until the back-end of the Summer at the earliest, the staying division has naturally been thrown wide-open. Stable mate Broome is an obvious candidate to step into his shoes on the basis of his recent exploits, but I prefer another Ballydoyle inmate in the shape of Emily Dickinson, who has fewer miles on the clock.

After a little bit of an underwhelming season, she stepped up to 2m for the first time on her final start of the year in a Group 3 at the Curragh last October. Her performance was excellent, as she galloped her rivals into the ground. O’Brien mooted the possibility that she could end up in the Ascot Gold Cup picture as ‘staying trips look to be her thing now.’ She is versatile in regards to underfoot conditions, and has total untapped potential over marathon distances.

5. Tenebrism (Aidan O’Brien)

It is easy to forget that Tenebrism was sent off 11/4 favourite to win last year’s 1000 Guineas. She was well beaten on that occasion, and the remainder of the season coughed and spluttered, as she registered one one from 6 further starts.

That win was over 7f in the Prix Jean Prat, and gave the signs on more than one occasion that 1m was just at the upper end of her stamina reserves. The master of Ballydoyle has finally given up on 1m assignments, and drew plenty of encouragement from her final start of the season when beaten only just over 3m in the Champion Sprint at Ascot.

O’Brien said she will “stick to sprint trips” this season and I think she has unfinished business at that trip.

Bet on Tenebrism with William Hill.

Don’t forget Ed will be back on Saturday, giving all his best bets for the Weekend action!

Ted https://twitter.com/Longshot_Ted?

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