Ten (plus two!) 3 year olds for 2023 flat season

 Hi all, thanks for visiting!. I'm a huge horse racing fan and have followed the sport for nigh on 40 years. I don't work for any horse racing firm nor am sponsored by any, purely an amateur enthusiast. I have developed my own system for finding winners, but these in this post are not part of any system, just, I hope, very good prospects.

You'll see a lot of horses to follow blogs in similar vein, but most or all will look almost exclusively for Group and Classic winners. Yes there are some of these in here, but I'd like to think this covers a cross section of horses of all abilities and levels.

So, I think these ten horses (plus a couple with more than honourable mentions) have chances of winning races, from Classics to Class Five handicaps, hopefully they'll yield a few winners along the way, but, as always, only my personal views and if you ever bet any of them, bet responsibly, please, and don't blame me if it goes the wrong way!

Now, in alphabetical order, I'll cut to the chase! And apologies for typos, I'm a nightmare at the keyboard....

1) AL RIFFA: A genuine Classic contender with 2,000 Guineas and Derby entries (around 16/1 for both) to start our list with. By Wootton Bassett out of a Galileo mare, and in the capable hands of Joseph O'Brien, thundered down the middle of the Curragh on career debut, making up ground impressively, but not reeling in the winner. Then returned to the same venue when in somewhat workmanlike style landed his maiden over the same 7 furlong trip. On his third and last start as a 2 year old, then left that form way behind on softer ground, when landing the Group One National Stakes impressively, with the colt's stamina winning the day.

Verdict: All three runs have been at the same track over 7 furlongs. with plenty stamina on the dam's side, should have no problem staying the Guineas trip, and looks a tempting each way proposition, however another 5 furlongs at Epsom will be a test. Wootton Bassett wouldn't completely convince for 12F, but will be well worth a try at some stage at the trip. 

Even if it's not a Classic, should pick up a decent Group prize or two at 8-10 furlongs along the way.

2) BURGLAR: Unraced at two, John Gosden's colt won a soft enough 8 furlong maiden at Lingfield on debut this February by a facile 4 lengths. A striking son of Cracksman out of a Daylami mare (who won the Cheshire Oaks and has produced several winners at up to 2 miles) this one has to still go in the dreaded 'could be anything' column, but does have a Derby entry, so is clearly well thought of, and something like the Lingfield Derby trial I imagine would be a realistic target. Might pick up a handicap along the way before that.

3) BURNING THE BAILS: A thrice raced maiden who prompted plenty comment, including from Timeform, which angered connections, who had backed him, after an eyecatching run at Newcastle on the last of these starts. The gelded son of Time Test made ground from a long way back and was doing all his best work at the finish. Indeed the horse was subsequently refused a handicap mark, and the assessor will wait for his next run before giving the gelding a rating. He's a galloping type who takes a while to hit top gear, and at a track notorious for slowly run races, from an unfavourable low draw and having been switched stand side, should come on for the experience and can land races at a modest level in the coming weeks and months. Has shown promise on all three starts. Also from the Barron yard and owned by the Shropshire Wolves, one to watch for market moves (though maybe less so next time after the furore, as will be on many trackers now I imagine). So far has run at 7 furlongs, should stay a mile and possibly further in time, and might well win next time with or without market support..

4) COPPICE: The first filly to make the list. Another once raced John Gosden inmate, winning a back end Kempton Novice Fillies 7 furlong race. She caught the clock-watchers attention though, and her closing sectionals had Timeform analyst Simon Rowlands positively purring. Available at 20/1 for the 1,000 Guineas, and I think that's worthy of your consideration. Her dam, Helleborine, was a Group Three winner at a mile and runner up in a Group One subsequently. Coppice is a daughter of Kingman and should reward support this season. Should appreciate decent summer ground.

5) FIRST SIGHT: This Godolphin colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, made a quiet debut at Wolverhampton but clearly benefited from the experience when taking his next two races in taking style, the latest at 10 furlongs, up from a mile. A son of the relentless Dubawi, and by Galileo, the dam ran exclusively at 12 furlongs or further and while she was modest, I could see this horse developing into a thorough stayer, with targets at Newmarket and possibly if things go well a tilt at the St Leger. A mark of 90 is probably fair on the bare form so far, but I suspect this horse will just get better with age and could have a much higher number come the autumn.

Incidentally the horse he beat at Lingfield, NAZYMBEK, has been allocated a mark of 84, and that should be very exploitable in 3yo handicaps - and is another who could merit your support this season. Probably unsuited by making the running that day, only went down by 3/4 of a length and I'm sure connections will have been delighted with the assessor's verdict. Comfortably won a 10F novice event on debut (all weather) in December at Lingfield before that run.

6) FLIGHT PLAN: Karl Burke's runner went to Leicester for his debut, and having been well supported, drifted to 15/8 on course. Ran greener than the grass under his feet, but made amends in no uncertain fashion when landing his first win, over 7 furlongs, by 2 and a half lengths with another 7+ back to the rest. While a 2000 Guineas entry seems at best fanciful at this stage, there are races to be won with this son of Night of Thunder. He should land a nice prize this season.

7) IMPERIAL DREAM: No self-respecting list is complete without a Sir Mark Prescott handicapper! And this now gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor fits the bill beautifully. A mark of 72, meaning this three times raced lad can start in 0-70 company with the 2lbs breathing space, shouldn't take long to be made a mockery of. The second run is the giveaway. Up to a mile (other runs were at 6 and 7 furlongs) finished less than five lengths behind Dubai Mile, who is now a Group Two winner rated 114. When you see this one entered, check to see if he has multiple entries over the coming days, and that's usually the moment to put the betting boots on. If you asked me for one horse that will win multiple races this season, I think this would be the nomination. If stays healthy, should go up through the grades.

8) KING OF STEEL: Another son of Wootton Bassett, was not unexpected when bolting up at 11/2 on Nottingham debut on soft ground, before being tried on heavy in the Vertem Futurity, a Group One, and having briefly made progress 2 out, fell in a hole. I don't think he handled the surface and raced on the swamp on the far rail. So could still be a very exciting prospect and has switched to Roger Varian since that run. Is in both the Derby and Irish Derby, and if he turns up in one of the trials will be worth keeping a close eye on. Were his sights to be subsequently lowered, should reward support along the way.

9) QUEEN ME: A daughter of Dubawi and out of a Frankel mare, won her debut at 6F, before running second in the Lowther at York, extraordinarily a race her dam, grandam and great grandam all won. While the dam didn't train on at three, plenty Frankels have and it will be fascinating to see whether Queen Me is kept to sprinting or stepped up slightly. She reminds me for no good reason of Lochsong and maybe one day an Ayr Gold Cup will be on the agenda. But for now there are races to be farmed and she should give us excitement this season for Kevin Ryan who knows what it takes with this family. May appreciate cut in the ground.

10) RELENTLESS VOYAGER: Back to another colt to round off the ten, a son of Ulysees this time, who bumped into two very smart types on first two runs, Dubai Mile now rated 114 and Bold Act, now 101, before landing his maiden at Kempton in taking style, at 12 furlongs. The Italian Derby was mentioned by Andrew Balding post race, and he suggested there is plenty scope for this colt this season. Seems Rome is already a specific target and that is something to look out for.

WILDCARD: Ok I've done ten and STRIKE ALLIANCE is rated 58 for a reason (plenty reasons actually).... Six times raced maiden, misses the break perennially and isn't very good! But he's quite a big lad who is taking time to grow into his frame, also the last run beaten under 3 lengths in 0-75 company suggests there's a race or two to be had at a lowly level. In Class Six company should be able to serve up a couple of wins.

Good Luck if you follow any of these, and thank you for looking in regardless, that's genuinely appreciated! I'll be making a variety of sports posts over the months, and for racing fans hope to compile a list of older handicappers.

If I get time I'll maybe put up a pick or two for Cheltenham too.

My twitter handle is @jimgilch and you'd be more than welcome if you choose to follow me.