Thursday, 21st May 2026
In ATC today….
The Watch List is where I flag up well-handicapped horses….
…. I’ve subjected my strategies to a ruthless audit….
…. and the objective is to highlight more winners….
Oh…. and you’ve got a part to play in this….
Read on….
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The Watch List is where I flag up well-handicapped horses ready to win a few quid – for connections and punters….
I don’t always get it right….
…. I’ve nominated some good winners at big prices….
…. but there have been lots of disappointments too….
It’s a learning curve – and my methods are always evolving….
For example, in the past I’ve been too eager to believe too strongly in the future prospects of unlucky horses….
…. and I’ve had to accept that an eyecatching performance isn’t always quite the same thing as a well-handicapped horse….
Of course, there’s only so much you want to hear about the internal trials and tribulations of Nick Pullen – horse watcher….
…. but the point is that I’ve conducted a ruthless audit of my Watch List strategies….
…. getting rid of approaches that don’t work or don’t make sense in hindsight….
…. and focusing more on methods and ideas that should/will bear more fruit….
The overall objective is to dig out more winners on the Watch List – starting this summer….
…. so, let’s see how we go….
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“What am I supposed to do with the Watch List horses, Nick?”
I’m asked this question regularly and the answer isn’t straightforward….
I think some punters would like me to let them know every time a Watch List horse is declared to run….
…. take a detailed look at the race…. check out the variables…. assess the opponents….
…. and then report back on whether or not the horse is a bet at the price….
I get it – that’s the silver platter scenario….
…. but I can’t commit to that level of follow-up on top of everything else that goes on behind the day-to-day production of this service….
Instead, I see the Watch List as more of a collaboration between reader and author….
I do the research and nominate the horses….
…. if you like the case I put forward then put the horse in whatever tracker tool you use – and consider betting it in future races….
Back it blind each time it runs….
…. or have a look at the race and the opponents and then take a view….
If you don’t like the horse on the day or at the price – give it a swerve….
…. or – if everything lines up to your satisfaction – go in….
Stop at a winner….
…. unless you think the horse remains well-handicapped after reassessment….
…. in which case keep going with it….
It’s your call….
…. like I say, I see the Watch List as a form of collaboration between you and I….
I do some legwork, and you do a bit too – the hope is that we both reap a reward….
And there’s no rule that says you must back Watch List horses….
…. many readers don’t bother – for one reason or another – and that’s fine….
I’m in the business of giving you options…. possibilities…. horses that might pay dividends down the line….
What you do with them is your call….
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But if you do want to back the Watch List horses – make sure you pay attention….
…. unlike yours truly….
I’m busy all of the time – there’s always something going on and there’s always more work to be done….
…. the recent changeover from the jumps season to the flat requires a fair bit of back-end work….
…. and – because I’m distracted at hectic times like that – I miss things….
I put No Ordinary Joe on the Watch List in February after his run at Ascot. I said this….
“I’m pretty sure that No Ordinary Joe is going to win a race at some point in the near future…. probably not a big valuable handicap – but certainly something….”
He ran a good race at Aintree in April – 6/28 sent off at 28s….
…. and the time after that at Sandown he landed the money – sent off at 14s….
…. unbacked by your editor – who was too busy switching databases in time for the Guineas meeting….
Going further back – you might recall I put Toll Stone on the Watch List in October. I said this….
“I’ve seen enough to conclude that he’s a dual-code operator who can mix it with the big guns for big money in a big field…. exactly the type of horse I’d expect his trainer to win a proper big race with….”
He wasn’t seen until April in a big handicap at Punchestown – where he finished 3/26 sent off at 16s….
Okay – he didn’t win – and I can live with the pain of a missed place return….
…. but the point I’m making is that I didn’t even notice he was running – even though I had him in a tracker….
Like I say – if you’re going to back Watch List horses, make sure you get organized and pay attention….
…. because it hurts when they go in and you miss them….
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That’s all for today….
Back tomorrow….
Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk
Stay tuned….
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