Sly Man's Horses to Watch — Sunday 20 September 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.
Fantasy Force
Fantasy Force sits top of the card on SR 75 and the market is already moving her way — strict-majority steamer, no drifters pushing back. At 13/2, the money is talking before the stalls open.
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- SR 75 — top of the card
Benjamin Macey has won three of his last ten rides in the past month, and a claimer firing at 30% is not a stat you ignore at 9/1. The market is already moving — strict-majority money in, no drifters — and Gower Prince sitting on 113, two points off his career best, suggests the yard has him spot-on today.
- Benjamin Macey(5) — 30% strike rate last 30d (3/10)
- SR 113 — near career best (115)
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
Paul Townend is firing at 43% over the last 30 days and the market is already moving — money coming in with no sign of resistance. SR 113 tops the card, and when Mullins sends Townend out at Listowel at 11/2, that combination doesn't go unnoticed.
- Paul Townend — 43% strike rate last 30d (3/7)
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- SR 113 — top of the card
Four signals pulling in the same direction and the market already moving — Radiator Springs is the one they're backing here, not hoping about. SR of 111 tops the whole card, and when de Bromhead and O'Keeffe turn up with that kind of money behind them at Listowel, it tends to mean something.
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- SR 111 — top of the card
- 4 independent signals aligned
Four independent signals stacking on a 12/1 shot is the kind of alignment that makes you put the tablet down and pay attention. Bradbury's won his last two, placed on comeback after 97 days off, and Loughnane doesn't take these quiet rides by accident.
- 4 independent signals aligned
- Won last 2 starts
- 97 days off the track — placed last time