Banksie's Five To Follow- 25 April 2025

Banksie's Five To Follow

Last week saw two winners from the five runners who ran in the week. October 23 youngster Easy Texas trapped well and made all the running in an A3 contest at Towcester for Laurence Tuffin when sent off at 8/11F, while Droopys String won early this afternoon at Hove despite a double upgrade from his debut victory, making all the running in an A4 contest in 29.80 at 6/4F.

Moving onto this week:

MIAMI DUKE: Ran from Trap 4 in the 6.37 at Romford on Friday 18th April

Paul Young’s October 23 youngster got off the mark for the first time in his third start last Friday in a style which shows that he could have a lot more to come in coming weeks. Having been slow into stride, he was last into the first bend but got a nice run round, setting off down the back in fourth, only three lengths or so behind the leaders. 

The three up front bunched up heading into the third bend but Miami Duke nipped through a gap on the inside to take up the lead, drawing clear to win by 4 ½ lengths in 24.68 (+10) at 5/1. That is a decent enough time in grade A10 and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him score in A9 next time, maybe even a step up to 575m in coming weeks.

PATOKA: Ran from Trap 3 in the 1.17 at Monmore on Wednesday 23rd April

I just happened to have racing on in the background as I often do during the day and was struck by Brian Thompson’s Patoka making a winning debut on Wednesday. Unfortunately, there isn’t a replay available as there was a faller at the back of the field but completed the course which is the main thing. As for the race, this June 23 youngster made a winning debut.

After a moderate break, he got involved in trouble at the first bend but then set off after the leaders. He was still in third coming off the final bends, but he powered through on the run for home to score by 1 ¾ lengths in a time of 29.53 at 11/8F. If the gaps can open for him next time out, he could prove too strong in higher grade again

ROLO SNOWY: Ran from Trap 6 in the 8.47 at Yarmouth on Wednesday 23rd April

This August 23 youngster has ran well in all three of her previous starts, but it was her defeat on Wednesday that caught the eye. Sent off as the 4/7F, Linda Brown’s runner found trouble on the run up and the first bend trying to move in, and did so at the second bend, costing her a length or two. Heading down the back, she was a good 5-6 lengths behind the leading duo, who themselves came together round the final bends. 

By this point Rolo Snowy was making up good ground, and off the final bend, she looked as though she could sneak through on the inside but was forced to check off the back of the leader. She stayed on well to finish second by half a length, maybe looking a touch green throughout. She has run well in defeat in all three starts now and has been sent off favourite for the last two. If able to improve on her track craft, she could be the type to run up a sequence.

 MELBURY ROCKET: Ran from Trap 1 in the 5.03 at Oxford on Wednesday 23rd April

August 23 youngster Melbury Rocket produced a performance on Wednesday evening which is exactly what I look for when doing this column. Tony Welch’s runner was making his fifth start, but only his second over four bends and has been sent off at 10/11F and 8/11F on both occasions, having previously ran over the sprint distance at Oxford. When the traps opened, he received an almighty whack from the runner in Trap 2 trying to get across to the rails, nearly turning him sideways but quickly recovered, turning the opening bend in fourth.

He then showed good pace down the back and came to challenge the leader at the third bend but had the door shut in his face, causing him to lose a couple of lengths. Despite that, he stayed on well at the finish to finish runner up by half a length. He is likely to be well fancied again next time out but with any sort of clear run, then he should be leaving the A7 grade behind.       

FLYHIGH STAR: Ran from Trap 1 in the 8.47 at Monmore on Saturday 19th April

Chris Fereday’s September 23 youngster made it two wins from two starts at Monmore on Saturday evening in pleasing fashion. Having trapped well enough, she lost a little ground on the run-up when she bumped into Trap 2, moving off on the run up slightly, but still showed the pace to lead into the first bend, but she was overtaken by the runner in Trap 6 and going down the back, she went a length down. 

But she showed a good attitude and battled back rounding the final bends, taking up the lead again off the last bend and stayed on well at the finish to score by 3 lengths in 29.21 (+10) at 3/1. That was an A9 contest and if going up to A8, she has every chance of landing the hat-trick.