My Timeform: Three horses to be positive about

Thanos (Timeform rating f68p)

Runner-up, 7f nursery, Newcastle, Tuesday 30 September

Thanos was strong in the betting making his nursery debut for Harry Charlton and proved to be one of the eye-catchers of the season, beaten nearly four lengths behind the winner Fanjove but leaving the impression he would have won with a clear run. Dropped out after a slow start but travelling powerfully, he had no room two furlongs out and still had plenty to do entering the final furlong before finishing strongly for second. Thanos was clearly suited by the step up in trip after being well held in his three novices and compensation awaits, no surprise if he goes on to run up a sequence, in fact, given his lowly mark.

Dash Of Azure (f109)

Runner-up, 7f listed event, Ascot, Saturday, 4 October

This was a good race for the grade, a couple with form at a higher grade that aren't far off smart were split by an improver who was unlucky not to win, the ground Dash of Azure lost when caught in traffic two furlongs out surely costing her the win given how she came home once in the clear. She has progressed out of handicap company this season, and proved she's more than capable of mixing it at this level, finishing well after meeting adversity and leaving the impression there's even more to come. Ease in the ground is clearly no issue for her and she'll be one to look out for in a similar event next time, while she'll also likely develop into a pattern-class filly at some stage.

Tiptoptim (h107p)

Runner-up, 2m maiden hurdle, Uttoxeter, Sunday 5 October

Bumper winner Tiptoptim was unable to reward favouritism on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter but he shaped well in second and is up to winning a similar event. He failed to reel in a fellow bumper winner who managed to secure first run, but Tiptoptim saw his race out well and pulled nicely clear of the remainder. He's clearly still a work in progress - he'd been on and off the bridle before ultimately drawing clear to land the odds in a Newcastle bumper in March - but is entitled to be sharper for this hurdling experience and looks likely to progress.