Three-year-old handicappers to follow: Part 3

Diocletian	Stayed on well quite well without ever getting a proper run in what looks like a very good Sandown maiden on debut. He then had two runs at Newmarket where he didn't handle the track particularly well. The first time over a mile getting outpaced and staying on nicely under hands and heels then last time over 10f where he still looked quite green. The dam was a half-sister to two 10f-listed winners so Diocletian could be best over 10f as a three-year-old and may be suited by a flat track.	76
Dubai Frame	A 140,000 GNS yearling by Sixties Icon, who was given three runs over about three weeks in the autumn. Is a half-brother to three horses who all stayed over 10f and one is Sleep Easy who has won at 2m 5f over hurdles. He has run so far like he needs a step up in trip. He didn’t show much on debut in a hot Newmarket novice race over 7f. He stepped up on that effort at Nottingham next time showing signs of ability whilst still running green. He was given a more prominent ride in his third race, but as expected was outpaced a couple of furlongs out and given an easy ride once beaten.	67
Elusif	By Elusive Quality, who’s progeny can progress nicely from two to three. He was promising on debut but went backwards on subsequent runs. He probably didn’t suit the all-weather on his third start so that run can be dismissed. His dam’s best RPR was 101 on firm ground. Elusif is a risky proposition based on what he has done so far, but I think there will be improvement on a decent surface over a mile as a three-year-old.	73
Gather	Juddmonte bred, out of a Dansili mare, who is one of the best dam sires. Gather was pitched into a class two maiden on debut where she wasn’t disgraced. She then ran two solid races on the all-weather, which have both worked out well. On her second start, she was a clear second, beaten four lengths by a horse giving her three lbs, who is now rated 99. She was beaten less than a length on her third start. The fourth has since won, putting up an RPR of 86 in the process and the 6th horse in the race (beaten over 8 lengths by Gather) has won since and now rated 80. This suggests Gather is very well handicapped off 77. Her mare was unraced at two and has produced some nice 9-10f horses. I’m not sure exactly what trip she wants but I think she’s currently very well handicapped and ought to pick up some decent prizes as a three-year-old.	77
Ghazan	Half-brother to Ayrad and Dawn of Hope, costing 70,000 Euros as a yearling. He made steady progress in his three starts as a two-year-old to get him handicapped. First time out, he ran at Salisbury running green and wide throughout. His third start at Nottingham was his best, in a race that is working out quite well so far. Ghazan served it up to the odds-on favourite (a promising Camelot two-year-old with John Gosden) quite a way out and did well to go with him as far as he did. The fourth in that race has since won a handicap off 74 and the 6th horse bolted up in a maiden by 6 lengths next time out. Ghazan is bred to be better than his opening mark and if he continues to make progress then should be up to winning a handicap.	75