Taylor Made

Formcast (Nigel Taylor) is one of the most renowned private handicappers in racing. Here, in his weekly online column, he highlights horses he rates as rapid improvers who may be ahead of the official assessor:

BARON WINDRUSH had been dropped 17lb since the start of the season and took advantage of this lenient treatment to record a very easy victory in a long-distance handicap chase at Warwick last week.

He has been raised 10lb for this success, but will still be well weighted next time out.

MAC FEDERAL: The going at Kempton last Saturday was very testing, but Mac Federal relished the conditions and had the opposition well beaten in the two-mile five-furlong handicap hurdle.

The handicapper has raised him 14lb for this win, but this improving gelding should have little difficulty winning more races over two-and-a-half miles plus.

NIL DESPERANDUM, who finished fourth in last year's Grand National, escapes a penalty for the big Aintree race this time round after bolting up in the four-mile one-furlong Eider Chase at Newcastle last Saturday.

If Nil Desperandum takes his place in the Grand National he should run well off his light weight.

The following horses are ahead of the handicapper and can be backed with confidence in near at hand engagements:

President Royal

Charlies Future

Players Please

Femme D'avril

Negus de Beaumont

Cusp

Never So Blue

Symbol Of Peace

Augustus John

Nesoor

Kilimandschero

My Michelle

Cool Cossack

Marshall Hall

Dance The Mambo

Lucayos

Zarzu

Newnham