Sly Man's Horses to Watch — Wednesday 26 August 2026
Five names off today's card. Not the headline favourites — the ones with a story the form book half-mentions.
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.
Bidsta
Loughnane is firing at 23% over the last 30 days and Boughey is right behind him at 22%, so this is a yard-and-jockey combination running hot at the same time. The market has clocked it too — strict-majority money coming in with nothing drifting — and at 9/4, Bidsta is the one to follow at Newbury tonight.
- Billy Loughnane — 23% strike rate last 30d (33/144)
- George Boughey — 22% strike rate last 30d (13/58)
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
Roger Varian is firing at 31% over the last month and has sent Wezzeer here with money already moving in — that combination doesn't happen by accident. Top speed rating on the card, market tightening: this one's on the list.
- Roger Varian — 31% strike rate last 30d (15/49)
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- SR 101 — top of the card
Roger Varian is running at 31% over the last 30 days and the market has already made up its mind — money is stacking in with no drift to speak of. SR 96 tops the card, and at 2/7 this isn't a punt, it's a formality worth noting.
- Roger Varian — 31% strike rate last 30d (15/49)
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- SR 96 — top of the card
Harry Charlton is firing at 26% over the last 30 days and the market has already clocked it — Boilermaker is a strict-majority steamer with five independent signals pointing the same way. David Probert in the saddle, 11/10 in the ring, and the money moving with purpose: this one earned its spot on the list.
- Harry Charlton — 26% strike rate last 30d (6/23)
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- 5 independent signals aligned
Hector Crouch has won 26% of his rides in the last 30 days — 18 from 70 — and he's booked for Bold Shout at 13/8 with the market already steaming in. Four signals in alignment on a horse that hasn't drifted a penny: this one is firmly on the list.
- Hector Crouch — 26% strike rate last 30d (18/70)
- Money coming — strict-majority steamer, no drifters
- 4 independent signals aligned