JANUARY REVIEW
A fine start to the year saw us record 11 winners in January, our highest-ever tally for the month.
Storm Star has made a blistering start to 2025, landing two class 2 handicaps at Newcastle under Hayley Turner, quickening in taking style on his latest outing off a mark of 90. Now 3-4 at the track, he looks an obvious contender for Finals Day back there in April.
Old Harrovian was another to land quite a valuable handicap at Newcastle for the time of year, scoring with plenty to spare under Callum Hutchinson. That looked to be a career-best effort from the lightly-raced six year old and he is another who could have a big say on Good Friday.
Our remaining eight winners were all three year olds and there were several smart performances in victory.
Quai De Bethune had finished third in what looked a decent Sandown maiden in September and he shed his maiden tag at the second time of asking with the minimum of fuss at Kempton Park in the hands of Oisin Murphy. He could return to the track in February for the ‘European Road to the Kentucky Derby’ contest and is an exciting colt.
Marchogion made all for a wide-margin success at Southwell under David Probert and looks to have a bright future in good three-year-old handicaps in the season ahead, as does Dance In The Storm, the half-sister to Dancing Star and Foxtrot Lady showing a really good attitude to justify favouritism under Callum Hutchinson at Wolverhampton on her second start.
Humam had run two very good races in defeat in the autumn, so it was very pleasing to see him get his head in front at Lingfield Park, winning a valuable novice in great style under Jason Watson. He looks a lovely prospect for this season and goes handicapping off a fair opening mark of 80.
Star Chorus got off the mark on his second handicap start, coming from near-last under Rob Hornby to win with a bit to spare. The handicapper has reacted with a 6lbs rise, but he can continue to progress. Chartwell Jock, who won at the third attempt in a maiden at Wolverhampton, is another with the scope to do better as the season progresses.
Tuscan Star was another second-time-out winner, taking a good step forwards under Marco Ghiani, having been very green when finishing last on debut at Brighton in September. There should be plenty more to come, which is also the case with Lingfield Park winner Solar Pass, who has improved with each of her three runs. She won well under Callum Hutchinson, and should relish a step up in trip in due course.