Follow The Money: Two horses to back this afternoon at Beverley

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Timeform Horses In Focus: Ballista, Humbel Ben and Kie

Horses in Focus / Timeform / 05 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Tom Dascombe's Ballista shaped well at Haydock recently.

"It seems just a matter of time before Humbel Ben wins his first race over fences, and he will definitely be of interest off the same handicap mark next time."

Timeform highlight a sprint handicapper, a novice chaser and a juvenile hurdler that have caught the eye of late...

We begin this week with the Tom Dascombe-trained Ballista, who caught the eye in a handicap at Haydock recently. It's fair to say that the three-year-old gelding has been below his best of late, and has on occasions shown signs of temperament, but a look back at his form towards the end of his juvenile campaign, and, indeed, earlier in the season, and it's clear that he's capable of a useful level of ability on his day. That day could well be just around the corner as there were plenty of positives to take from his latest outing.

Although Ballista finished only ninth of 16 to Valery Borzov in a 16-runner handicap, he was on the bridle for longer than most and was not at all knocked about having been switched wide to make his move from last, seemingly finishing with plenty left in the tank. Given that he is usually ridden from the front, this was an encouraging effort and he is definitely up to winning a similar event before the end of the season. Tom Dascombe

Given that the National Hunt season is about to get under way, it would be folly not to look out for horses catching the eye at recent jumps meetings. Step forward Humbel Ben, who produced his best effort over fences when 3¾ lengths fourth of 12 to Dusky Bob in a handicap at Sedgefield last time. Although Humbel Ben was beaten, he shaped with as much promise as the winner in many ways, losing ground going into the last before finishing with real purpose. It seems a matter of time before Humbel Ben wins his first race over fences, and he will definitely be of interest off the same handicap mark next time. Alan Jones

Finally we come to Kie, who landed a 10-runner juvenile hurdle at Kelso recently by 13 lengths from Mica Mika. Only a modest maiden on the Flat and unconsidered in the market, Kie was allowed to establish a clear lead early and, after extending it further at the fourth, showed plenty of stamina to maintain his advantage, coming home well clear. Given that he is also entitled to improve for the experience, Kie will be of interest in early season novice hurdles in his bid to prove the wide-margin victory no fluke. Frank Sheridan

With a [33.0] winner, Wayne Bailey's National Hunt 'horses to follow' showed good profits - but will the flat season prove more tricky?...

Two performers to watch on the all-weather...

Another three to watch from the Timeform team...

Timeform take a close look at three horses who you will want to keep an eye on in future.......

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Summer Jumpers: Horses to watch after a busy week

General / David Cleary / 24 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

David's selected the most promising horses from a crowded field

"Viva Colonia is well worth another chance, particularly at two miles."

David Cleary reflects on another week of summer jump racing and highlights the winners to watch, the losers to avoid and the contenders that could have more to offer in future...

It was another busy week on the jumping front, though competitive races which look worth following were decidedly thin on the ground. As earlier in the month, the handicap hurdles were stronger by and large than other categories, and certainly include the most talked about race of the week, the two-mile event at Wetherby won by Royal Max.

It was a much improved effort by the winner on his second start back from a break, but he was greatly helped by the soft lead he managed to establish after starting several lengths ahead of his rivals. The well-supported Viva Colonia was left with far too much to do and the effort of trying to close such a large gap cost him second. He is well worth another chance, particularly at two miles. Apartman couldn't build on a promising effort at Aintree the time before but this may have come a bit soon, given his profile, and he's dropping a lot in the weights, so shouldn't be written off just yet.

The handicap hurdle at Kelso on Sunday is another to be positive about, with the winner What A Steel, leading home two other unexposed sorts in Cool Baranca and Freddie Brown. What A Steel showed a good attitude and ought to follow up under a penalty before he's reassessed. Cool Baranca travelled strongly but was found out by the stiff finish, compounded by a strong wind - she can win a similar event when speed is more at a premium. Freddie Brown, by contrast, is a chaser in the making, likely to be at his best over further, and he couldn't quicken after jumping clumsily at times.

Another winner to note from Kelso is Badger Foot, who landed the handicap chase in ready fashion on his first start for Lucinda Russell. He's been in good form in points and is clearly a different proposition since leaving Jonjo O'Neill.

Much earlier in the week, at Newton Abbot, Kylenoe Fairy defied a 6-lb rise for her previous course win. Her style of racing - held up and produced late - means the handicapper doesn't find it easy to get her measure when she's in top form; the way she travelled here before picking up well suggests she'll have a solid chance of completing a hat-trick. Kylenoe Fairy wasn't the only one to boost the form of her previous race during the week, which suggests runner-up Tri Nations should be given another chance. He's been set too much to do in two defeats since (never-nearer fifth behind Kylenoe Fairy this time) but can take advantage of a still favourable mark if all falls his way.

Two others to note from the Newton Abbot card are the Grant Cann-trained pair How's My Friend and She's On The Case. How's My Friend caught the eye in the steadily-run novice hurdle, losing his place before keeping on well without being given a hard time; he's one to keep in mind. She's On The Case was well backed for the handicap chase on just her second start over fences but two miles five furlongs is on the short side, particularly on a sharp track, and lack of fluency as the pace quickened left her poorly placed. The best of her has definitely yet to be seen. The winner of that race, Life of A Luso shows a likeable attitude and may well keep ahead of the handicapper, particularly as he'll be at least as effective back at three miles.

Defeat for short-priced favourite Turtlethomas in the three-mile novice hurdle at Worcester, won by the thorough stayer Ely Brown, was a rare reverse for the Lawney Hill yard. However, Turtlethomas was travelling strongly when a blunder four out seemed to unsettle him and he's well worth another chance.

The week's list of negatives could be summed up as just about anything that won at the two Towcester fixtures. However, three will do for now: Leopard Hills (unimpressive in a weak seller), Speedy Directa (fell in, with a race run ideally and the favourites running badly) and Timoca (seemed to show more resolution in cheekpieces but won a weak race for mares and wouldn't be sure to react so well to headgear another time).

The Flat-bred Rio Gael made a fairly unconvincing chasing debut at Fakenham and will need to be well placed to follow up, handicaps not a good option given his hurdling mark. Franklino confirmed his status as a serial underachiever in defeat at Newton Abbot, while Gem Mill surely won't be subject of market support again after a poor display at Sedgefield.

The Flat season is grabbing the headlines but there are still plenty of promising bets to be had over jumps, as David Cleary explains....

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Timeform Horses In Focus: Havant, Coco Rouge & Mrs E

Horses in Focus / Timeform / 05 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Havant: Has the Oaks on her agenda

"Havant was still dull in her coat and was not unduly knocked about once Ryan Moore had accepted defeat and so there's plenty of reason for anticipating marked improvement from her at Epsom, given that she's bred to relish the trip and will almost certainly be better for the run."

Timeform's Phil Thompson brings you three more Horses in Focus...

Most people will have already noted down Havant as a horse to follow this season and her eagerly awaited return in the 1,000 Guineas, whilst not awe inspiring, was encouraging with regards to the Oaks. A winner of both her races as a two-year-old, including the Oh So Sharp Stakes (beat Look At Me 3¼ lengths), she was sent off third favourite for the Classic and was not discredited in finishing 5½ lengths sixth of 18 to Blue Bunting, after being dropped out last in the early stages.Connections had been mindful of the good to firm conditions beforehand. However such was the promise of her performance that similar conditions are not expected to be a problem over longer trips. Unlike some of her rivals Havant was still dull in her coat and was not unduly knocked about once Ryan Moore had accepted defeat and so there's plenty of reason for anticipating marked improvement from her at Epsom, given that she's bred to relish the trip and will almost certainly be better for the run. Sir Michael Stoute

Up next is the Walter Swinburn-trained Coco Rouge who made a promising debut at Kempton over an inadequate trip of a mile. Unraced as a two-year old, Coco Rouge was settled in midfield before picking up well in the straight, briefly looking as if she would be involved in the finish before the lack of a previous outing began to tell in the final furlong, eventually finishing fourth, 5 lengths behind the winner Dimension. Coco Rouge is bred to stay at least 1¼m (half-sister to smart performer up to 1½m Regime) and is sure to improve for the experience and a likely step up in trip. Walter Swinburn's horses have yet to hit top form this season, but this filly should be up to winning a similar race in the coming weeks. Walter Swinburn

A quick look at the form figures of Mrs E will not have even the most optimistic of punters rushing to bet on the Mick Easterby-trained four-year-old next time.
In what was only her fourth career start, Mrs E finished fifth beaten 8¼ lengths by the winner Tombellini in a 7f handicap at Newcastle. However, a more detailed look will reveal a performance significantly better than the form figure suggests. Rendered little chance due to a significant draw bias, Mrs E really caught the eye with how she travelled through the contest and comfortably won her 'race' on the stands side. In doing so showed enough to suggest she can take a similar event next time, granted better luck. Mick Easterby

With a [33.0] winner, Wayne Bailey's National Hunt 'horses to follow' showed good profits - but will the flat season prove more tricky?...

Two performers to watch on the all-weather...

Another three to watch from the Timeform team...

Timeform take a close look at three horses who you will want to keep an eye on in future.......

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Turkish Grand Prix: Lotus Renault - F1's new dark horses?

Formula One / Ralph Ellis / 03 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Vitaly Petrov is leading the charge for Lotus Renault

"Petrov and Heidfeld are anywhere between [95.0] and [180.00] to win in Turkey... "

Never mind the battle at the top of the market, a shrewd, forward-thinking team are starting to quietly make an impact on the podium. Bettors take note, says Ralph Ellis.

Sport in the 21st century is dominated by money. We know this. It is why Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate La Liga, and why Chelsea and Manchester United battle it out every year for the Barclays Premier League.

In Formula One, it's why McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari slug it out every week for the front of the grid. The richest buy the best, and stay ahead of the field that way.

But just occasionally somebody comes along with a bit of brilliance that puts a dent in the dominance of the big boys. Jenson Button won his Drivers' World Championship because of the ingenuity of Ross Brawn, who dreamed up the idea of the double diffuser, winning half a dozen races before anybody else caught up.

You just wonder if there's a similar brain working behind the scenes at Lotus Renault this year. In the opening battles between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton it's gone pretty much unnoticed that they managed a podium finish in two of the first three races. Whatever is going on, it's clearly the car and not the driver because Nick Heidfeld and Vitaly Petrov have shared those two bits of Grand Prix glory.

They rather spoiled the good start by messing up qualifying in China, where some technical problems failed to get Petrov into Q3. But the only Russian in F1 still finished ninth, and as the Formula One circus sets up its big top in Istanbul this week there are encouraging noises coming from their factory to suggest the improvement could go on.

"We have a good upgrade package coming for Turkey," promises team principal Eric Boullier, the man masterminding whatever gadgets and gizmos are being dreamed up. "The car has shown it has good straight line speed. It is also kind on its tyres which will be important in Istanbul, as it was in the warmer weather of the first couple of races."

There's a new front wing coming, various design tweaks inspired by work in the wind tunnel, and a few other technical bits that frankly went above my head. But it's still enough of a hint that Lotus can remain the dark horse (as opposed to Ferrari's prancing horse).

It's worth knowing, because the dominance of the wealthiest teams at the front of the grid has limited betting opportunities in the first few races. Vettel is already [2.4] favourite for the Turkish Grand Prix, a price that's too short to back but not really short enough to lay either. So unless you hang your hat on Hamilton, who is [4.5], at a course where McLaren scored a 1-2 last season there isn't much value to be found in the early market.

Petrov and his sidekick Heidfeld, in contrast, are anywhere between [95.0] and [180.00] to win which suggests that when the weekend comes you'll get [30.0] or maybe more for either of them to get on the podium again. Alongside your serious stake to sort out the winner, it's a bet that's going to be well worth a little flutter, and at the least could turn a profit if you lay it in running.

Five things you might not know about Vitaly Petrov

1. Born September 1984 in the Russian town of Vyborg, close to the border with Finland, his mother was a schoolteacher.

2. He was five when his dad, who owned land, bought him a beat-up Volkswagon Golf and started teaching him to drive. He started racing in Lada events because there are no go-karts in Russia

3. He was reprimanded for being overweight during his first Formula One season with Renault

4. He's a big fan of Spanish football, and describes himself as the only person in the world who supports both Barcelona and Real Madrid

5. He collects playing cards from around the world

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Timeform Horses in Focus: Arizona Jewel, Glen's Diamond & Night Carnation

Horses in Focus / Timeform / 28 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Henry Cecil: Has a viable Oaks candidate in Arizona Jewel

"Arizona Jewel...looks certain to improve for the run and will presumably take in a trial next time out, with her handler regularly using the Lingfield Oaks Trial and York’s Musidora Stakes to test his fillies’ classic credentials."

Timeform's Phil Thompson brings you three horses worth watching closely in the coming weeks...

First up this week is Arizona Jewel. Trained by the legendary Henry Cecil and from an excellent family - she is closely related to Frankel's dam Kind - Arizona Jewel caught the eye with how well she travelled when third on her debut at two. Given time to strengthen thereafter, she was an impressive winner of a maiden at Sandown on her return as a three-year-old. In control from halfway, she easily accounted for the equally well bred Skip Along by a length and a half and in doing so, went onto plenty of shortlists for the Oaks. She looks certain to improve for the run and will presumably take in a trial next time out, with her handler regularly using the Lingfield Oaks Trial and York's Musidora Stakes to test his fillies' classic credentials. Henry Cecil

Richard Fahey has a lot to look forward to this season and Glen's Diamond is certainly one of his more interesting three-year-old prospects. All three this progressive gelding's wins have only seemed to scratch the surface of his ability and there is definitely more to come from him. After winning his last two starts as a juvenile. Glen's Diamond returned with a victory in a competitive handicap at Musselburgh, winning by a length and a quarter from Calypso Magic, despite still showing signs of greenness and clearly needing a stiffer test of stamina. His handler had warned that he was not fully wound up for his reappearance and even further progression can be expected when he is stepped up to 1½m in the Edinburgh Gold Cup at the same track on Derby Day (June 5). Richard Fahey

Finally, we come to the three-year-old filly Night Carnation. Trained by Andrew Balding, it would be fair to say that she did not set the world alight during her four runs at two, for all that she was promising in winning a maiden and then finishing runner-up in a listed contest at Doncaster on her final two starts. However, she looked a different proposition altogether when impressively landing a handicap off top-weight at Sandown on her reappearance. Dropping back to the minimum distance for the first time, she travelled smoothly and quickened impressively to lead at the furlong pole and quickly put the race to bed, beating Ahtoug by two lengths. In doing so Night Carnation displayed form that entitles her to be competitive at Group 3 level at the least, especially in fillies only company, with five furlongs likely to prove her optimum trip. Andrew Balding

With a [33.0] winner, Wayne Bailey's National Hunt 'horses to follow' showed good profits - but will the flat season prove more tricky?...

Two performers to watch on the all-weather...

Another three to watch from the Timeform team...

Timeform take a close look at three horses who you will want to keep an eye on in future.......

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Timeform Horses To Follow Update

Timeform Features / Jamie Lynch / 28 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Stoute and Moore feature among Lynchy's mythical 2011 Flat awards

"If you are not a member of timeform.com already, then there's no better time to join. Sign up today entering the code TBB40 and deposit £20, and Timeform will treble it."

Timeform's Horses to Follow publication has made a flying start to the Flat season, operating at a 40% strike rate and a 20-point profit to level stakes. Jamie Lynch takes you through the highs and lows so far....

Rory McIlroy, Concorde, Blazin' Squad, dinosaurs, Wimpy, Macaulay Culkin, the Nazis, Big Brother, Great Leighs, Police Academy, asbestos, Freddy Adu. History is peppered with warnings that a powerful start doesn't always equal ongoing success, and, here at Timeform, we certainly aren't in the business of counting chickens before they hatch or horses before they win, but it's fair to say we're happy with the positive start by our Fifty To Follow, operating at a 40% strike rate and a 20-point profit to level stakes.

Every dog has his day, they say, and ours was Greenham day at Newbury. Okay, so we get no brownie points for Frankel, who's a publicity machine in his own right and will be all the more of a household name after Saturday, but there was profit to be made elsewhere on the Newbury card courtesy of Modun and Light From Mars. Billed as 'the new Redford' in his entry in Horses To Follow, Light From Mars duly landed a big handicap at odds of 14/1 on just his second start for Dandy Nicholls, who will soon be able to drop the word 'sprint' from his 'sprint king' title, while Modun's runaway win took even us by surprise, and he's an archetypal Sir Michael Stoute improver destined for Group company. Before that, though, there's another good handicap in Modun, the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot the obvious one, and nothing can stop him...nothing other than perhaps Sunny Game, similarly impressive on his return at Epsom last week.

Inevitably, however, it hasn't all been fun and sunny games, and it would be remiss of us to focus on the bullseyes when a few duds have been fired as well. As we say at this juncture every year, the Flat season is a marathon and not a sprint, and we've barely covered the first hundred yards so far, making it easier to excuse the horses who haven't immediately met expectations, but even so we were hoping for more from Fulgur, State Opera and Golden Hinde at the Craven meeting. All the same, the positives outweigh the negatives up to now, and we're in for a big weekend, hopefully with Havant making it a Guineas double the day after Frankel struts his stuff. Exciting times.

Given that these are indeed exciting times, and given that we are in the predictions market, why not go the whole hog? Football managers are forever emphasising the importance of 'taking each game as it comes', but where's the fun or expertise in that, and therefore here goes: let's cut forward seven months and prematurely hand out the 2011 Flat awards, admittedly with a bit of Horses To Follow bias in the results. Remember where you heard it first.

HORSE OF THE YEAR: (in the style of Michael Buffer) The reigning, undisputed, undefeated heavy weight champion of the world: Frank 'The Freak' Frankel. Unbeaten through his three-year-old career, the closest he came to losing his perfect record was in the Dante, which persuaded connections to swerve the Derby, despite 97% of people voting 'yes' in a worthless poll asking 'should Frankel go to Epsom?' However, Frankel recaptures the public imagination and admiration by subsequently winning the St James's Palace, the Juddmonte and the Irish Champion before spanking the Yanks in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Imagine that.

CHAMPION JOCKEY: Hanagan gives it his all again and gets twenty-six clear at one point in June, but thereafter Ryan Moore goes into overdrive to re-establish himself as the best in the business. Richard Hughes finishes only fourth this time (behind Neil Callan) but still wins the style award: is there a finer sight in racing than a folded-up Hughsey scything through a field?

CHAMPION TRAINER: Everyone's rooting for Cecil, and Frankel alone gets him close, but the old master Sir Michael Stoute transforms enough handicappers into Group horses to pip him, Conduct's win in the Champion Stakes the decisive act. By the way, don't forget that Workforce is still around.

LEADING SPRINTER: Bated Breath makes great strides in the sprinting ranks (please God), but it's Dream Ahead who deserves the award for his regeneration in the Sprint Cup at Haydock, when a bit of September rain makes all the difference to him. Obviously, we don't count the superior Aussies that turn up and leave the British sprinters for dead in the Golden Jubilee and/or July Cup. Same goes for that Hungarian speedball if he ever makes it over.

LEADING MILER: They never meet, but Frankel would have beaten Goldikova if they had: trust us. Goldikova boringly wins yet another Breeders' Cup Mile, but she isn't quite the same force aged six.

LEADING MIDDLE-DISTANCE PERFORMER: With Frankel not moving up that far, the remaining three-year-olds are much of a muchness, leaving the stage clear for the established older horses, principally Workforce, who this year does make it to the Breeders' Cup where, with him, Midday and Frankel all successful, Khalid Abdulla has the best day of his life; and someone as rich as him will already have had some good ones.

LEADING STAYER: A belated first prize for Aidan O'Brien, who assures us that Fame And Glory has enough speed to win a July Cup but eventually bites the bullet and campaigns him as a stayer with resounding success. Fame And Glory wins the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot by the same margin as Yeats' four combined.

CHAMPION TWO-YEAR-OLD: Something by Iffraaj probably, owned by Khalid Abdullah probably, making its debut at Newmarket in July and sent off at 4/6 probably.

LEADING SIRE: The aforementioned Iffraaj is up there, while Teofilo does best of the rookie sires, but the award unexpectedly goes to former trainer Philip Mitchell, with elder son Jack riding over 100 winners and youngster Freddie taking the amateur circuit by storm.

RIDE OF THE YEAR: Somebody somewhere along the line will get one home with a slipped saddle or no irons, but the trophy automatically goes to any jockey who can persuade Fishforcompliments to win.

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Timeform give an update on their Horses to Follow in every edition of their 'Extra' publication. Timeform Horses to Follow Extra is published ten times a season to coincide with the big Flat meetings. The Guineas edition features no less than five big-race previews, as well as numerous other winner-finding features. Download your copy now from timeform.com.

If you are not a member of timeform.com, then there's no better time to join. Sign up today entering the code TBB40 and deposit £20, and Timeform will treble it. That will give you enough to subscribe to the whole season of Timeform Horses to Follow Extra and leave you enough change for a racecard on both days of the Guineas Meeting. Enjoy!!

Timeform's Phil Thompson brings you three horses worth watching closely in the coming weeks......

A maximum field of fifteen will line up for the 2000 Guineas on Saturday, with Dream Ahead the most notable absentee at the latest declaration stage, whilst 23 have been declared for the 1000 on Sunday......

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Timeform Horses in Focus: Jarrow, Crown Choice & Yaseer

Horses in Focus / Timeform / 22 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Crown Choice (right) didn't get the rub of the green at Pontefract

"Held up in a steadily-run race, Crown Choice travelled smoothly but was still only eighth with a furlong to run, too much to do for all he thundered home under Adam Kirby"

Timeform's Phil Thompson has three more horse that look worth keeping an eye in in the near ...

First up is the former Mark Johnston-inmate Jarrow, Backing horses that have left the Middleham trainer for pastures new isn't the best long-term policy, but in David Nicholls Jarrow has joined a trainer right at the top of his game, and one who has enjoyed plenty of success with horses he has inherited from other yards. Gelded since leaving Johnston for 27,000gns, Jarrow is very well handicapped on his efforts early in 2010 and caught the eye with the way he travelled on his return to the fray in a competitive handicap at Redcar earlier this week. Held up in the early stages, he was still going as well as anything at the two-furlong marker before the lack of a recent run told close home, eventually beaten five into fifth behind Doctor Parkes. Although proven at up to 8.6f, Jarrow is likely to stick to around 6 in the near future and has his name written all over a sprint handicap in the coming weeks. David Nicholls

Anyone who watched Crown Choice on his reappearance at Pontefract will no doubt already have marked him down as a future winner, whereas those who backed him will surely give him another chance given how unlucky he was not to win first time up. Held up in a steadily-run race, Crown Choice travelled smoothly but was still only eighth with a furlong to run, too much to do for all he thundered home under Adam Kirby, failing by a length to catch the winner Flipando, eventually finishing third. That was Crown Choice's first try at 6f, but he confirmed his effectiveness for the trip and has clearly increased his options, especially as a stronger pace is sure to see him a better light. Walter Swinburn

Last but by no means least is the promising Yaseer. Although he may not have won the Craven Stakes at Newmarket last week, this Derby entry certainly showed that he is a horse with a big future. The Marcus Tregoning-trained colt won just a run-of-the-mill maiden at Kempton in December, but he produced an excellent effort to finish just over two lengths third to the ready winner Native Khan at HQ. Racing prominently, Yaseer still seemed green when the pace initially quickened but was flying near the line and would have finished second in another stride. The run confirmed that Yaseer can make an impact in good company this season and he will almost certainly relish a step up to a mile and a quarter, possibly taking up an entry in the Dante Stakes at York in May. Marcus Tregoning

With a [33.0] winner, Wayne Bailey's National Hunt 'horses to follow' showed good profits - but will the flat season prove more tricky?...

Two performers to watch on the all-weather...

Another three to watch from the Timeform team...

Timeform take a close look at three horses who you will want to keep an eye on in future.......

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Timeform Horses to Follow 2011: Fifty for the Flat & so much more!

Timeform Features / Jamie Lynch / 26 March 2011 / 1 Comments

Workforce was one of last year's ante-post recommendations for the Derby.

"What else can you get for £8.95 these days: a couple of pints, or a supermarket meal deal for one and three-quarter persons, or a cup of petrol, or a package holiday cruise to Egypt and Libya? Not much then, certainly not compared to Horses To Follow, which is guaranteed to whet your appetite and give you an edge for this season."

Fifty of the best prospects for the Flat from Timeform's experts, plus big-name interviews & much, much more. Read on to find out exactly what's inside...

We do our homework. Those aren't our words, but the words of Walter Swinburn. Our words would be 'Horses To Follow is absolutely brilliant and you must get a copy.' Swinburn's endorsement came on completion of the interview he kindly gave us, in which we apparently asked the right questions about the right horses, but also some of the 'wrong' horses as far as he was concerned; those he might have preferred to keep under wraps, as any shrewd trainer would.

Back in the day, Horses To Follow used to be a pamphlet about the size of a takeaway menu or a Hartlepool tourist guide (I'm allowed to say that because I'm from there), but now it's a monster of a book, the 136 pages packed with information and insight designed firstly to water your mouth and secondly to feed it with the rich delicacies you'll be able to buy after our spotlighted horses strut their stuff - that's the plan, anyway.

Besides Walter Swinburn, we've got an in-depth interview with rising star of the training ranks David Lanigan, while fellow up-and-comers Ed Walker, David O'Meara and Ed McMahon also give us their big hopes for the year. Then there's the matter of what we've come up with here at Timeform Towers, drawing on years of experience within the team and hours (and hours and hours) of work through the winter, picking through and whittling down the initial list to the definitive 'Fifty' we're going to war with. The 'Fifty' is the mainstay, but, even with a detailed discussion on each one of the selections, it takes up less than a third of the book, fighting for room amongst pinpointed horses to follow from Ireland and across Europe; from the jumps and the all-weather. Add to that a synopsis of first-season sires, a look back on the best horses of 2010 and a look forward to the classic picture for this year featuring ante-post recommendations, as well as a new Timeform Radio section in which our top pundits and presenters outline their fancies, and it's clear you get a lot for your money.

All that for only £8.95 - good value by anyone's standards in a climate where a pound doesn't stretch that far. What else can you get for £8.95 these days: a couple of pints, or a supermarket meal deal for one and three-quarter persons, or a cup of petrol, or a package holiday cruise to Egypt and Libya? Not much then, certainly not compared to Horses To Follow, which is guaranteed to whet your appetite and give you an edge for this season, and maybe even make you money - in fact, you'll be ahead of the game straight away if taking up our offer in the book to double any deposit up to £20 to Timeform online.

Horses To Follow isn't a doctrine to be obeyed nor a patronising 'we know best' manifesto, but it is an insightful and helpful guide to put you on the front foot for the start of the season. Think of it as us doing your homework for you. We're good at that - just ask Walter Swinburn.

Order your copy of Timeform Horses to Follow 2011 today by visiting timeform.com

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Timeform Horses to Follow 2011: Fifty for the Flat & so much more!

Timeform Features / Jamie Lynch / 28 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Workforce was one of last year's ante-post recommendations for the Derby.

"What else can you get for £8.95 these days: a couple of pints, or a supermarket meal deal for one and three-quarter persons, or a cup of petrol, or a package holiday cruise to Egypt and Libya? Not much then, certainly not compared to Horses To Follow, which is guaranteed to whet your appetite and give you an edge for this season."

Fifty of the best prospects for the Flat from Timeform's experts, plus big-name interviews & much, much more. Read on to find out exactly what's inside...

We do our homework. Those aren't our words, but the words of Walter Swinburn. Our words would be 'Horses To Follow is absolutely brilliant and you must get a copy.' Swinburn's endorsement came on completion of the interview he kindly gave us, in which we apparently asked the right questions about the right horses, but also some of the 'wrong' horses as far as he was concerned; those he might have preferred to keep under wraps, as any shrewd trainer would.

Back in the day, Horses To Follow used to be a pamphlet about the size of a takeaway menu or a Hartlepool tourist guide (I'm allowed to say that because I'm from there), but now it's a monster of a book, the 136 pages packed with information and insight designed firstly to water your mouth and secondly to feed it with the rich delicacies you'll be able to buy after our spotlighted horses strut their stuff - that's the plan, anyway.

Besides Walter Swinburn, we've got an in-depth interview with rising star of the training ranks David Lanigan, while fellow up-and-comers Ed Walker, David O'Meara and Ed McMahon also give us their big hopes for the year. Then there's the matter of what we've come up with here at Timeform Towers, drawing on years of experience within the team and hours (and hours and hours) of work through the winter, picking through and whittling down the initial list to the definitive 'Fifty' we're going to war with. The 'Fifty' is the mainstay, but, even with a detailed discussion on each one of the selections, it takes up less than a third of the book, fighting for room amongst pinpointed horses to follow from Ireland and across Europe; from the jumps and the all-weather. Add to that a synopsis of first-season sires, a look back on the best horses of 2010 and a look forward to the classic picture for this year featuring ante-post recommendations, as well as a new Timeform Radio section in which our top pundits and presenters outline their fancies, and it's clear you get a lot for your money.

All that for only £8.95 - good value by anyone's standards in a climate where a pound doesn't stretch that far. What else can you get for £8.95 these days: a couple of pints, or a supermarket meal deal for one and three-quarter persons, or a cup of petrol, or a package holiday cruise to Egypt and Libya? Not much then, certainly not compared to Horses To Follow, which is guaranteed to whet your appetite and give you an edge for this season, and maybe even make you money - in fact, you'll be ahead of the game straight away if taking up our offer in the book to double any deposit up to £20 to Timeform online.

Horses To Follow isn't a doctrine to be obeyed nor a patronising 'we know best' manifesto, but it is an insightful and helpful guide to put you on the front foot for the start of the season. Think of it as us doing your homework for you. We're good at that - just ask Walter Swinburn.

Order your copy of Timeform Horses to Follow 2011 today by visiting timeform.com

Timeform takes a look back at the best action from the weekend, where ever-softening conditions gave us some astonishing performances....

Fifty of the best prospects for the Flat from Timeform's experts, plus big-name interviews & much, much more. Read on to find out exactly what's inside......

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