Marten Julian’s Weekly Roundup 9 February 2026
February 16th, 2026 | Marten's Perspective
I have mentioned before a profile of form over jumps which has occasionally been linked to horses that have landed a touch.
This relates to a horse who has shown form in point-to-points, then joined a professional yard and been raced in novice or maiden hurdles, probably over an inadequate two miles, and then run in a handicap over a longer trip from a mark allocated on the evidence of its hurdle runs.
Martin Pipe was the first trainer that I spotted adopting this strategy, notably with David Johnson’s horses, and it’s a very effective way of getting a horse favourably handicapped.
However, in the case of Keno Black – shrewdly noted beforehand as a horse of interest by my colleague Jodie – connections took things a stage further.
I once suggested to Sir Mark Prescott, and Barney Curley a few years before, that one way of getting a decent price would be to go for a touch on a horse’s third outing, when the assumption is that it is having its final run to qualify for a handicap mark.
Keno Black had shown ability in Irish points, notably on his second outing when holding a length lead only to fall at the last, leaving the race to Port Authority, subsequently bought for £200,000 by Gordon Elliott and a winner for him of a maiden hurdle at Naas by 17 lengths in November and not disgraced in a Grade 2 behind Doctor Steinberg a month later at Navan.
Keno Black then ran third in his final start between the flags, doing his best work late on in a race won by Timefortom, now with Lucinda Russell and rated 112.
He then joined Neil Mulholland and shaped quite well in his first three starts over hurdles, showing up prominently on each occasion despite not always jumping fluently, before dropping away to be beaten 82 lengths and 54 lengths twice.
On his third run at Uttoxeter the stewards enquired into his running, initiating a very lengthy explanation from Richie McLernon, a horseman of great finesse and particularly effective on inexperienced stock, often in the colours of JP McManus.
The handicapper declined to give the horse a rating and so it was generally assumed his fourth run under Rules at Lingfield last week was intended to acquire a mark. At least that looked the case until the 40/1 offered the night before was snapped up, down to single figures by the morning and a starting price of 5/1.
It should be said, of course, that it would not have taken much to initiate the market move.
There was, though, another clue that connections had hopes for a better showing, equipping the horse with a hood, as recommended by Richie McLernon the time before.
The trainer added that the horse had been treated for stomach ulcers since his last run and was ridden more patiently, aided by the application of the hood, in what looked a weak race.
We’re more used to seeing horses held up off the pace when qualifying for a mark, so this was in many ways an extremely well-orchestrated touch. Looking back, there were clues to be found.
Bye for now
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