Winless Ones To Watch 2022/2023
Review
This was third season of the “Winless Ones To Watch” – and it was an honour to have the list published on RacingTV’s website this time around.
The goal is always the same: highlight interesting horses that could sneak under the radar due to not winning in the previous season; and I’d like to think that goal was achieved this time around, with plenty from the list popping up at decent prices, particularly in the early parts the season. The likes of Blenkinsop & Sonigino, in particular, flew the flag and were a joy to follow.
I always stress that this is not a list of horses to back blind, and I try to pinpoint the conditions that would make them of betting interest; but upon reviewing all 20 horses, I was happy to find that someone would have made profit to a level stake if they completely ignored my advice and did back every runner blind!
Total P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£6.84 (SP), +£12.63 (BSP)
ROI: 10.4% (SP), 19.1% (BSP)
Seventeen of the twenty made the track, ten of whom won, with several winning multiple times.
All in all, I think it was a success and I am already planning 2023/2024’s list!
Star Performer
BLENKINSOP
P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£7.31 (SP), +£8.32 (BSP)
Winning four from five and going up twenty-seven pounds in the handicap as a result, Blenkinsop, like his siblings, improved significantly in his second season under rules. His only defeat came in the Sefton – his first run for over three-months and his attempt at three miles. Bred to make a chaser, I don’t think a mark of 131 will stop him winning more races.
Good
Autonomous Cloud
P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£4.50 (SP), +£5.77 (BSP)
Looked a natural over fences, and after finishing second on his first three chase starts (never beaten more than two lengths), finally got off the mark in a good race at Uttoxeter in March. Started the season rated 116 and is now rated 130. Full of stamina, he could be one for races like the Midlands National next season.
Blow Your Wad
P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£1.86 (SP), +£2.29 (BSP)
Frustrating in bumpers and retained his quirks for the first half of the season, although a wind-op and tongue-tie seemed to help in that regard. Rated 132, he’s always been well regarded and now he looks to be getting his act together, he can make a nice novice chaser next season.
Kellahen
P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£9.00 (SP), +£10.00 (BSP)
The most profitable horse on this list having won on seasonal reappearance at 12/1. Somewhat hamstrung by that win and the mark he was subsequently given, he’s run with credit in three starts since, far from disgraced back in 6th in the EBF Final. He’s capable of winning more races.
Marble Sands
P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£2.66 (SP), +£3.70 (BSP)
Had rock-solid novice form from 2021/22 and duly won a couple of novice hurdles to start 2022/23. Caused a minor shock in the Sidney Banks, before finishing best of the British in the Ballymore and shaping well in the Sefton. Should make a chaser and he’s still unexposed over three-miles.
Russian Ruler
P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£1.24 (SP), +£1.44 (BSP)
Looked fully of talent but finishing effort was weak on his first three starts of the season, but he seemed to turn a corner in winning his next two starts. Rated 127 and with his smooth-travelling, front-running style, he’ll be very interesting over fences.
Sonigino
P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£2.80 (SP), +£3.06 (BSP)
Seemed likely to go over fences but following a smooth success on seasonal debut at Chepstow, connections decided to stick over hurdles. He won two more times, went off 7/1 for the Greatwood when disappointing before finishing a fine third at Aintree, when ridden with unusual patience. No surprise if he improves again next season given connections.
Okay
Collectors Item
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£0.53 (SP), -£0.16 (BSP)
Won a couple of novice hurdles at short odds and was narrowly denied in the Grade 2 Prestige at Haydock. Jumping often lacked fluency and he isn’t the biggest, so I wouldn’t be so sure about his prospects over fences.
How Will I Know
P/L (£1 stake, win only): +£0.63 (SP), +£0.67 (BSP)
Only saw him twice but showed plenty, shaping with promise behind Grey Dawning on hurdles debut before winning cosily next time out (second has franked that form). On that form, he looks potentially very well treated off 122 providing he is none the worse for whatever has kept him off the track since January.
Idem
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£2.00 (SP), -£2.00 (BSP)
Was due to go over hurdles but seemingly met with a setback as he only reappeared in February. He ran twice in the 2022/23 season, both in bumpers and shaped well despite market weakness. He has since won on hurdling debut (6th May) in an ordinary race, but he did it nicely and still rates a useful prospect.
Maclaine
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£1.63 (SP), -£1.46 (BSP)
Won on seasonal reappearance at Fontwell and after disappointing on his next start, has run well to place in two handicaps after wind-surgery. Still looked a work-in-progress but looks a chaser and no surprise if he improves over fences. Can get three-miles but needs to settle.
Disappointing
Briery Express
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£3.00 (SP), -£3.00 (BSP)
Made an encouraging reappearance but didn’t take to chasing thereafter.
Fame And Concrete
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£5.00 (SP), -£5.00 (BSP)
Has looked desperately slow and is now rated 99. Had been well backed in a couple of low-grade handicaps but hardly got competitive.
Keplerian
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£3.00 (SP), -£3.00 (BSP)
Promise on stable debut, but despite a host of entries, only ran three times in total. Was frequently a NR, with connections seemingly unsure on what best suits in terms of conditions.
Lucky So And So
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£1.00 (SP), -£1.00 (BSP)
Pulled-up having never travelled on his only start, looking as if something was amiss. Has won two point-to-points since.
Nollyador
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£4.00 (SP), -£4.00 (BSP)
Ran four times, beaten 20+ lengths on all occasions. He has often travelled well through his races, so whether he can improve for handicaps (only rated 103) remains to be seen. Certainly has the potential to be better than that, but has been frustrating thus far.
Technology
P/L (£1 stake, win only): -£3.00 (SP), -£3.00 (BSP)
Promise on his first two starts but was too bad to be true when last seen. Could be of interest in handicaps over three-miles on better ground.
Didn’t Run
Adjournment
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