14:05 Kempton

Saturday 1 April 2017

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Betfred Mobile Magnolia Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 2m 5.72s

(6)

Quarterback^p,t¹⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: R Haugen

16/1

Former Norwegian raider who is now based in Newmarket, and is a four time stakes winner in Norway. His best form (Listed and Group 3 success) has come over 1m4f, including when winning the Stockholm International Cup by 5L at Bro Park in September 2016. Lacks any significant AW experience.

Form: 31910-6

(3)

Sovereign Debt¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: A Mullen| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 110

6/1

Has forged an extensive CV racing predominately between 7F to 1m, and yet to race over this trip during a 49 race career. Game winner of the (local) Group 2 Thoroughbred Marketing Cup in Doha (1m) for David Nicholls last month, and has now moved to a new yard following that trainer relinquishing his license. Vulnerable over this trip.

Form: 1132-31

(8)

Fire Fighting^b⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Fran Berry| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 112

7/2

Prominent racer who was headed close home over this trip by Elbereth at Dundalk just last week on his first start since August 2016. A three time AW winner in 18 starts (including at this course), his major success in 2016 came on the turf in handicap company at Goodwood in July. Should go well with a recent run under his belt.

Form: 5-25738

(7)

Linguistic²⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 103

9/4

650,000 gns Lope De Vega yearling who landed the valuable Tattersalls Millions Three-Year-Old Trophy on just his third career start at Newmarket in April 2016. After just failing by a short head to run down Viren's Army in the Dee Stakes at Chester in May, his career path didn't pan out as expected, and off since running at Royal Ascot in June, he makes his AW debut over an ideal trip.

Form: 22/1228-

(4)

Poeta Diletto¹⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Botti| OR: 108

16/1

Won the Italian equivalent of the 2,000 Guineas last year (which equates to a Group 3 race on these shores), but he hasn't been seen since finishing fourth of eight in a Listed race in Rome back in October, so his fitness has to be taken on trust. Interesting contender switched to England but retaining the 'Botti' connection.

Form: 17624-7

(2)

Absolute Blast³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 105

4/1

Raced in the French Oaks in June 2015 (thirteenth), but was off for 18 months until making a UK debut for Iain Jardine at Newcastle in December 2016 (runner up) and made rapid progress thereafter winning at both Wolverhampton (1m1½F) and Kempton (1m), but moved onto this trainer after a narrow (luckless) defeat in late January. Third for these new connections in the Group 3 Winter Derby last time and remains progressive.

Form: 112312

(1)

Very Dashing¹⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: R Kingscote| T: R M Beckett| OR: 94

8/1

Impressive Nottingham fillies maiden winner (1m2f) on her third career start in July 2016, and highly tried in Listed contests on each of her next three starts (twice in France). Returns for her seasonal and AW bow, very much needing to produce a career best to even make the frame.

Form: 02/1467-

Non-Runners

(5)

Viren's Army³⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: C Appleby J: Martin Lane

Forecasts

Linguistic (9/4), Fire Fighting (7/2), Absolute Blast (4/1), Viren's Army (4/1), Sovereign Debt (6/1), Very Dashing (8/1), Quarterback (16/1), Poeta Diletto (16/1)

A fascinating Magnolia Stakes with an international flavour, with former Norwegian raider Quarterback, and ex Italian racer Poeta Diletto now both based on these shores and clashing with 2016 Dee Stakes winner Viren's Army who has spent the winter in Dubai. It will be fascinating to chart the progress of Linguistic this year, as he was basically a bit of a disappointment after winning a valuable sales race at Newmarket in April 2016, but this trip looks ideal for his AW debut. Absolute Blast is a fraction quirky, but remains very progressive and posted an excellent effort on her debut for Archie Watson in the Group 3 Winter Derby at Lingfield in February, but FIRE FIGHTING is the selection, in the expectation that he'll get this whole field out of their comfort zone from the front end, and battle on in a determined manner with a recent Dundalk pipe-opener safely in the bank.