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'He can go one better soon' - our experts nominate their horses to follow

Our weekly round-up of the horses you must add to the tracker

Perfect Pirate: could get his head back in front under rules again over hurdles or fences now he is back with Ben Pauling
Perfect Pirate: could get his head back in front under rules again over hurdles or fences now he is back with Ben PaulingCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Marcus Buckland and Richard Young pick out four horses who caught their eye last week. Members can view the race replays and add these horses to their Racing Post Tracker.

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Rocco
Second, Kempton, Monday

Rocco had been progressing nicely over fences last season prior to being pulled up in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby and he got his stalling career back on track with this commendable second behind the prolific Lock's Corner.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding looked in need of his reappearance run when weakening into fifth over hurdles at Sedgefield last month and proved sharper throughout here, putting up a bold performance under a positive front-running ride by Tom Bellamy.

He was beaten just three lengths and I'm sure he would have finished a good deal closer had he not made his only mistake of the race when still in front at the second-last. He can go one better soon. [Marcus Buckland]

Members can watch the replay here


Perfect Pirate
Third, Southwell, Tuesday

There was a lot of encouragement to take from the run of Perfect Pirate on his return to the professional ranks at Southwell last week and it shouldn't be long before we see him back in the winner's enclosure.

The eight-year-old has been reunited with Ben Pauling, having won twice in points last season for permit holder Paige Topley and Myles Osborne, and the way in which he finished from the rear to take third suggests he retains plenty of ability.

He will have the option of either staying over hurdles or reverting to fences and should be capable of exploiting his current rating, which is substantially lower than when in his pomp for this yard two years ago, in either sphere. [Marcus Buckland]

Members can watch the replay here


One For You
Fourth, Doncaster, Friday

The one to take from an interesting card at Doncaster on Friday was One For You, who stepped up a fair way on the form of his hurdles debut when fourth to unbeaten hurdler Bobhopeornohope.

This Philip Hobbs-trained five-year-old, who started at huge odds, raced with the choke out and wasn't always fluent but caught the eye under considerate handling to finish less than four lengths behind the gutsy winner.

Philip Hobbs trained Flagship Uberalles to land the 2002 Queen Mother Champion Chase
Philip Hobbs: could have a useful handicapper this season with One For YouCredit: Edward Whitaker

There's plenty of improvement to come and he shaped as though the step up to 3m would be more to his liking, which is backed up by his pedigree given he's a half-brother to this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Monalee.

Like that one, he might well be one for fences further down the line, but in the short term he'll be one to note when he goes into handicap company.

Members can watch the replay here


Desert Cat
Third, Wolverhampton, Tuesday

Although she's only a moderate maiden, Desert Cat has shown more than enough in two starts in handicaps to suggest she's capable of winning races on the all-weather.

The Hughie Morrison-trained three-year-old turned in an improved performance when third to previous winner Spirit Of Rowdown over the extended mile and is better than the bare facts given she raced wide early and fared best of those who raced up with a gallop that picked up appreciably in the back straight.

She's bred to stay at least a mile and a quarter, is open to further progress and is sure to pick up something similar, especially as her official handicap mark has dropped 2lb from last Saturday.

Members can watch the replay here


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