Katara – Friday 14:25
Katara looked badly in need of the experience on her sole outing as a two-year-old, unable to make an impact over a seven-furlong trip that was always going to prove short of her optimum, but she is very much going the right way this season and has improved with every run.
She found only a subsequent listed race winner too strong on her return over a mile and a quarter at Yarmouth in June, and she improved on that form to go one better at Kempton the following month, impressing with the manner of her success as she stormed five lengths clear.
She then took another big step forward when following up at listed level on the July Course, relishing the step up to a mile and a half, leaving a deep impression as she proved far too good, easily getting on top. That was not a strong race but she will go on improving and looks well worth her place in this Group 3.
Monday – Friday at 15:00
Monday is bred to be smart, the first foal of Group-1 winning juvenile Ballydoyle, and she showed a bit when finishing fourth on her debut at Punchestown this month, just unable to quicken when required.
She was stepped up in grade at Leopardstown only nine days later, however, and left that debut form well behind, making all to win a very valuable listed event, impressing with how she responded to pressure, looking potentially smart in winning at that level so early in her career.
She remains open to improvement and is clearly a big player for the powerful Aidan O’Brien yard.
High Definition – Saturday 13.50
The only horse in this race with a Timeform large ‘P’ attached to their rating is High Definition, and, while he strictly has plenty to find in terms of the bare form, there is every reason to think he can progress past his rivals.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained High Definition is well bred – as you would expect from a two-year-old in that yard – and he looked a potential star in the making when successful on debut at the Curragh last month.
The signs weren’t promising for much of the race, however, as High Definition looked outpaced three furlongs out, but he produced a rare change of gear to pass more than half of the field – most of whom were not stopping themselves – inside the final furlong to win going away.
That performance saw bookmakers quickly react and install him in the betting for next year’s classics, and he is a very exciting prospect worth fast-tracking to pattern company.
Method – Saturday at 15:00
Method was well supported ahead of his debut at Doncaster in June and he looked a potentially smart two-year-old in routing the field, tanking along before powering away to beat Fev Rover, a subsequent Group 2 winner, by four and a quarter lengths, creating a very good impression both on the eye and on the clock.
He was sent off at odds-on for a listed race at Newbury on the back of that performance and he maintained his unbeaten record in style, again looking an exciting prospect as he quickened clear to lead well inside the final furlong before forging clear impressively, comfortably beating home subsequent Group 3 winner Mighty Gurkha.
When it comes to assessing Method’s performance there is undoubtedly substance to go with style, and we have not seen the best of this talented juvenile yet. He looks more than ready for this step up to Group 1 company.
Timeform’s 4 improvers to keep an eye on at HQ
Friday at 14:25: Katara
Friday at 15:00: Monday
Saturday 13:50: High Definition
Saturday at 15:00: Method
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