14:40 Pontefract

Tuesday 11 April 2017

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:1017:40

Breeders Backing Racing 'High-Rise' EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 2m 44.92s

(3)

Above Normal

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor

15/8

Half-brother to a 1m-1m4f Flat and useful 2m-3m1f hurdle winner in Ennistown. Dam was a 6f and 7f 2yo Group One winner and 1,000 Guineas third, so well bred and from a top yard. Very interesting debutant.

Form:

(7)

Company Trader

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Aspell| T: Mrs S A Watt

50/1

€20.000 yearling. Full-brother to 1m4f winner Fast Play and out of an unraced granddaughter of Arc winner Akiyda. Bred to do better with age and, although stable has had a big-priced maiden winner before, perhaps best watching this one.

Form:

(5)

Cray²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: J D Bethell| OR: 72| BF

6/1

Shown some ability in four maidens since October, all at Newcastle, without threatening to win any. Step up in trip may elicit some improvement, though again likely to find a couple too good.

Form: 58-34

(1)

Full Tilt Lad

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Easterby

33/1

£11,000 yearling. Half-brother to three winners from 5f up to 1m1f, out of a dam placed over extended 1m5f and 2m1f hurdle. Would have to be a concern that he is started over this far and other preferred today.

Form:

(2)

Marqoom¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C & M Johnston

5/1

200,000 GNS yearling. Half-brother to Group Two 1m-extended 1m2f winner Bonfire and 1m-1m2½f winner, including Group 3, in Joviality. Dam 1m winner out of a 1m1f Listed winner. Last of six on Newcastle debut last month but should come on plenty for that and is one of the more interesting contenders here.

Form: 6

(6)

Asanta Sana¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden

15/8

Full-sister to Pretty Perfect, who won at 7f as a 2yo and 1m4f at Group Three level and also Los Barbados, a winner over 1m3f. Dam an Australian 1m Group Three winner who stayed 1m2f and is full-sister to 2yo Group One winner Holy Roman Emperor. Might have expected better on her Lingfield debut and could begin to show more now for that experience.

Form: 4

(4)

Sambuca Nera

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: T Eaves| T: J G Given

20/1

Closely related to several winners from 7f-1m3f on the Flat, as well as 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase scorer. Dam 5f/6f 2yo winner out of a 1m seller winner. Other make more appeal on pedigree and a watching brief suggested.

Form:

Forecasts

Above Normal (15/8), Asanta Sana (15/8), Marqoom (5/1), Cray (6/1), Sambuca Nera (20/1), Full Tilt Lad (33/1), Company Trader (50/1)

Plenty of pointers for the future here but for today MARQOOM could be the one. Mark Johnston's colt is very nicely bred and, although last on debut, he has at least had a run and should both strip fitter here and improve for the experience. Asanta Sana has a similar profile and would be no shock winner, while the latter can be said of the most interesting newcomer, Above Normal, who is another that has a lovely pedigree page and represents top connections.