Sly Man's Horses to Watch — Saturday 24 October 2026
Nothing shorter than 5/1 makes my book. I'm looking beyond the obvious — but they still have to earn their place.
Five worth watching today. Read the rating, read the angle, then make up your own mind. I'm the wiry one in the silks reading form on a tablet while the favourites warm up — here's what's caught my eye.
Havachoc
Money is moving on Havachoc with purpose — a strict-majority steamer and no drifters is the kind of market picture that doesn't happen by accident. Add a course win already banked at Southwell AW and this one at 7/1 is firmly on the watchlist.
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- 1 prior win at Southwell (AW)
Three places on the bounce — form reading 133 — and now Loughnane climbs aboard, firing at 16% over the last 30 days with 27 winners from 165 rides. African Spirit looks ready to turn a place into a win at 6/1.
- Placed in last 3 starts (form: 133)
- Billy Loughnane — 16% strike rate last 30d (27/165)
Buick at 31% and Appleby at 29% over the last month is a combination that demands attention, and Castlemont running an SR of 95 — one point off his career best — tells you the horse is tuned to the minute. At 11/2, this is not a charity price, but it's not a robbery either.
- William Buick — 31% strike rate last 30d (18/59)
- Charlie Appleby — 29% strike rate last 30d (14/48)
- SR 95 — near career best (96)
Ancient State is running at an SR of 90 — a nudge past his career best of 89 — and the market is already talking, with no drifters and a strict-majority steam behind him at 13/2. Cieren Fallon picks up the ride and the money is following him in; this one sits at the top of the card for a reason.
- SR 90 — near career best (89)
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- SR 90 — top of the card
Four independent signals lined up on Shaw Park, and that 323 form string tells you the consistency is real, not a fluke. Sitting a point above career best SR and still at 13/2, Kieran O'Neill climbs aboard something the market hasn't fully cottoned on to yet.
- SR 76 — near career best (75)
- 4 independent signals aligned
- Placed in last 3 starts (form: 323)