The Notebook - 13th June 2026

Not every big performance results in a headline victory. Sometimes it is the subtle runs, the late headway, the eye-catching move through the field, or the effort despite unfavourable conditions, that signal a horse ready to strike next time. Here are four runners who caught the eye this week and may be worth adding to your tracker for future races...

Harry’s Halo

This column is rapidly turning into me just telling you to add Class 6 horses to your tracker. If you think I am going to change this, you are mistaken. Harry’s Halo was third at Carlisle on Monday, but I thought shaped really encouragingly, on his first start for 71 days. Assuming he strips fitter for that, he should take a decent step forward next time out. The key here is the distance. Would I back him over 5 furlongs? No. Over six? Yes. He hit the line well and has all his best form over six, so it very much looks like his optimum trip. He has a pound below his last winning mark and he will no doubt win races over the coming months.

Lanarra

Before Monday, the shortest starting price Lanarra had ran at across six starts was 28/1. This includes winning at 66/1 last October and finishing second at 33/1 on seasonal debut in May. So, I did not know what to make of seeing her at 7/4 joint favourite for this latest occasion. I came to the conclusion she would not win but looking back I feel I got away with one, as she was incredibly keen through the race, yet ran on really well to the line. For me, the whole process from form study to race was confusing yet she has ended up in my tracker. Will I be with her next time? I don’t know. I need a lie down.

Arantes Nascimento

Connections of Arantes Nascimento must be banging their heads against the wall, after his tenth second place finish on Tuesday. Whilst the consistency is great, it is mightily frustrating that he keeps finding one too good, rising through the weights as a result. While he often runs well, on turf he is 0-14, so he would be more interesting back on the all-weather. The only other downside to him is he can often be keen through his races; over-racing may be holding him back. Back him to finish second next time out and if he wins I take no blame.

Alpe d’Huez

Archie Watson has a 16% strike-rate with his two-year-olds across the last 12 months, but he won’t have many with the potential upside of Alpe d’Huez. He ran in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom on Friday, won in previous years by Pinatubo, Coscmic Law and Maximized. Alpe d’Huez raced prominently, just sat off the leader in the hands of Luke Morris. He was outpaced and looked to be going nowhere as they quickened, so I was encouraged to see him staying on strongly at the line to re-gain second. The obvious option would be to step him up in trip, but in a weaker contest a strongly run six furlongs would still suit at this stage of his development. Nevertheless, he will do his winning over a mile in time and he looks likeable, albeit I have no idea where his ceiling lies.