Banksies Five to Follow- 30th May 2025

Banksies Five to Follow

Each week I’ll be looking to find five puppies who have caught the eye in graded in action in the last week who could be worth following in the coming weeks.

Only three of last week’s selections ran last week, but Ashway Diva was able to overcome a two-grade rise at Swindon on Saturday when landing an A3 contest by three lengths at 11/10F.

To follow any of my selections and receive updates when they next run, then click here

Moving onto this week

LIGHTFOOT JAMIE: Ran from Trap 2 in the 6.39pm at Swindon on Friday 23rd May

September 23 youngster Lightfoot Jamie went close to making a winning debut in A3 for trainer Kevin Hutton last Friday night.

Having produced a cracking burst of early pace, recording a 3.91 sectional, Lightfoot Jamie was able to build up what looked like being a winning lead, going eight lengths clear down the backstraight. However, that lead was eaten into by the strong running Swift Jordana, and was picked up just a few strides from the line.

Those who backed Lightfoot Jamie at 10/11F will no doubt be disappointed about being picked up after a decent lead, but he improved a bundle on the clock from previous trials and the winner has competed over six bends and a repeat performance next time could see him holding on at the finish next time out.

DROOPYS PUPIL: Ran from Trap 1 in the 7.06 at Yarmouth on Monday 26th May

Craig Morris’s September 23 youngster Droopys Pupil was a good winner of a D2 contest at Yarmouth on Monday evening in his first race since early April.

Having broken only moderately in fourth, Droopys Pupil showed good pace into the opening bend, making up the three lengths deficit lost at the traps and looked to take up the lead. However, his pathway was blocked by Oh El Nido in trap 3 and was forced to check his stride, losing a length or so in running.

He was then pushed a little wide by Quagos Penny in trap 5 but recovered well and stayed on well to score, getting up in the shadows of the post to score by a head in 16.48 (+20) at 11/4. As his debut run in April was over four bends, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back over that distance in the coming weeks and with the chance of more to come from this run, then he could land the double next time out, whether it be over two or four bends.

IS THIS WISE: Ran from Trap 5 in the 3.03pm at Oxford on Tuesday 27th May

Is This Wise made it two wins from two starts at Oxford on Tuesday when coming from off the pace to score in A4 company, and Matt Dartnall’s December 23 puppy will be looking to land the hat-trick next time out.

After a winning debut, Is This Wise was sent off as 11/8F and having produced a slow start, backers may have been thinking that they were in trouble. Those thoughts may have increased as he found trouble round the opening bends and was a good eight lengths behind the leader down the back.

The deficit was being eaten into though, and despite being slightly crowded at the third bend, he was only three lengths behind the leader coming off the last bend. But just as on his debut, he produced another strong late burst to pick up the leader in the final strides to score by three quarters of a length in 27.51 (-10).

He may need some luck in running in his hat-trick bid as his style of running could see him running into trouble ahead, but if gaining a clear passage, then he has every chance of landing the hat-trick.

SUGAR BLAST: Ran from Trap 2 in the 11.34am at Monmore on Wednesday 28th May

Kim Billingham-Hine’s September 23 youngster Sugar Blast found all sorts of trouble on debut previously but improved on that run when making all the running in good style on Wednesday morning in an A6 contest

Having produced a decent 4.42 sectional, Sugar Blast burst into an early lead as was quickly able to build up a winning advantage. Down the backstraight, it looked as though Knockroe Emma in trap one could prove to be a challenger into the third bend, but Sugar Blast knuckled down, staying on well to record a four length victory in a time of 28.84 (+10) at 9/2

The combination of early pace and the ability to stay on well could stand him in good stead in the coming weeks and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him going close to landing the double if able to break in a similar fashion next time out

FIRE SONG: Ran from Trap in the 6.53pm at Romford on Wednesday 28thMay

Dave Lee’s Fire Song made a winning debut at Romford on Wednesday evening and looks the type that will improve again in the coming weeks having won in A7 in good fashion.

The August 23 puppy trapped well but made an instant beeline towards the hare rail, bumping into Young Millie in trap five on the run to the opening bend. This action cost him the lead as Back To Front in trap two nipped round on the inside.

Having moved wide early, Fire Song showed his inexperience and tried going up the inside of Back To Front at the third bend. That route was blocked off, causing Fire Song to check off, losing a length or so in running, but he recovered and stayed on well, and on the run for home, took up the lead to win going away by a length and three quarters in a time of 24.50 at 7/1.

He looks sure to improve on that run and a draw further out will look to be of benefit to him, and over the next few weeks, he could easily be competing a couple of grades higher.