Notebook Horse: 08/07/26 Calico Blue

Calico Blue looks an interesting runner to keep onside if he runs in the 15:00 Betway Handicap at Newmarket on Thursday. Trained by Roger Varian and rated 93, he has the profile of a colt who may still have more to offer, particularly now returning to 6 furlongs, a trip that has long looked likely to suit him better than the minimum distance.

A tall colt and the first foal of an unraced dam, Calico Blue has enough stamina and quality in his pedigree to suggest that this step back up in distance could unlock further improvement. His dam is a half-sister to Lady Claypoole, a useful winner over 1 mile to 1¼ miles, including at US Grade 3 level, and there is further middle-distance influence through Short Affair.

His latest run at Ascot on 19 June was better than the bare result. Returning from an eight-week break, he shaped with promise over 5 furlongs and deserves extra credit for managing to get involved from a part of the track that looked difficult. He travelled in midfield, made progress inside the final furlong and kept on well enough to suggest there is more to come.

The key point for tomorrow is the return to 6 furlongs. His two runs this season have both been over 5 furlongs, but he has given the impression that he wants a little more time to organise himself and build into his race. Conditions should not be a major concern either, as he has shown he can act on both good to firm and good to soft ground.

The draw also looks acceptable. He is positioned middle to high, which means he has avoided the low draw that can be a difficult place to be at the July Course at Newmarket. With the trip now in his favour and his recent Ascot effort hinting at more to come, Calico Blue makes plenty of appeal as a horse who could be ready to take another step forward.