'He can develop into a Graded winner' - five horses to follow from last week

Our Raceform analysts pick out five 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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Happygolucky
Second, Cheltenham, Tuesday

Kim Bailey's novice has improved with just about every start over fences and he matched his best effort on his first run in a handicap chase in a typically competitive Ultima.

There was no disgrace in finishing second to Sue Smith's battle-hardened veteran Vintage Clouds and he would have finished closer had he been more fluent at the final fence.

Like many of his stablemates, Happygolucky is a good-looking sort and a strong traveller and, given this was only his fifth start over regulation fences, there's a good chance he can improve further and develop into a Graded winner. [Richard Young]

Members can watch Happygolucky's encouraging run here

Fourth, Cheltenham, Wednesday

A starting price of 11-2 highlighted the fact that plenty was expected of the Paul Nicholls runner on his handicap debut, and he certainly didn't disappoint.

The ex-French four-year-old tanked through the race on the outside, but his tendency to race with the choke out meant he didn't get up the hill quite as well as the three who finished in front of him in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

His performance showed he has a big engine and an opening mark of 128 gives him plenty of scope to pick up a decent handicap in this sphere before he finds his true calling over fences. [Richard Young]

Click here to watch Houx Gris's fine run in the Boodles

Prontissimo
Second, Kempton, Wednesday

Prontissimo broke well enough on this debut, but his rider soon dropped him in to give him time to find his feet and he stayed on nicely to finish a clear second behind a rival who was clearly expected to run a big race, according to the market.

A 32,000gns half-brother to two winners at up to 1m2f, his price of 22-1 suggested he was thought in need of the run, so he is likely to come on plenty for the experience and should know much more next time. [David Bellingham]

Click here to watch Prontissimo finish runner-up at Kempton

Craigneiche
Second, Cheltenham, Wednesday

Although no match for easy Irish winner Heaven Help Us, the lightly raced Craigneiche ran well on only his second start in handicap company in a fiercely contested Coral Cup.

Craigneiche (red silks): no match for Heaven Help Us in the Coral Cup but there could be more to come as he goes up again in distanceCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicky Henderson's runner, for whom this was only a fourth start over hurdles, took second only thanks to the fall of Blue Sari at the last, but this was still a notable effort after a 12lb rise.

The way he stuck to his task suggested there could be more to come as he goes up again in distance. [Richard Young]

Click here to Craigneiche finish second in the Coral Cup

Brianstorm
Second, Uttoxeter, Saturday

The son of Brian Boru caught the eye when second in the 3m handicap chase.

A pitch on landing at the third-last fence didn’t help his cause. Although it didn’t seem to cost him too much ground or momentum, his rider gave him plenty of time to recover and didn't really get after him until the run-in.

It speaks volumes that he was still travelling strongly two out, even after the error, and would have gone close to winning without that mistake if he’d been ridden with more urgency. He is one to note in similar company. [Richard Young]

Click here to watch Brianstorm's eyecatching second at Uttoxeter

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