16:25 Ascot

Saturday 15 July 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Ruddy Novice Auction Stakes (Plus 10) (Div 2)

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 1m 30.04s

(3)

Christopher Wood¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: P J Dobbs| T: R M Beckett| D

9/4

48,000 gns son of Fast Company and half-brother to several middle distance winners. Well supported before making a winning debut in what looked a good race at Salisbury. Yard have a good crop of youngsters and he has an obvious chance of giving the weight away in what looks an easier heat than division one of this race.

Form: 1

(8)

Champs De Reves¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: M P Tregoning

13/2

11,000 gns son of Champs Elysees out of a dam who was a winning sprinter and from the family of Kings Stand winner Sayf El Arab. Has 11L to find with the topweight on Salisbury running but he was much improved last time. Stable in good form at present and he is not without a chance.

Form: 03

(4)

Cuban Heel³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C G Cox

9/1

Havana Gold colt, cost 20,000 gns as a foal and €55,000 as a yearling. Dam Listed placed over 6f at two-years-old and out of a half-sister to Listed winner Aetna. Yard in fine form with their juveniles this year but too green to do himself justice on debut. Interesting to see whether market support arrives with that experience under his belt.

Form: 8

(6)

Freebe Rocks

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Danny Brock| T: M L W Bell

14/1

£42,000 son of Camacho out of a dam who was an AW winner over 7f. Stable's juveniles have gone well here in the past so one to note in the ring.

Form:

(7)

Galactic⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: T J Murphy| T: R Hannon

20/1

From a family full of winners and like many from the yard he looked in need of his initial run. Needs to step up considerably but worth noting if there is support.

Form: 5

(10)

Laugh A Minute

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian

15/8

From a family the trainer knows well and sired by Mayson so the forecast softer ground ought to be ok. Stable in form and rider is 13-32 for them this year.

Form:

(2)

Mr Large¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne

20/1

Easy to back and down the field on his Chepstow debut. Indicated some ability but not enough to suggest he will be a factor here.

Form: 7

(5)

Protected Guest

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: G G Margarson

33/1

Son of Helmet out of a dam who won over 1m as a juvenile and later over 1m5f. Fetched 35,000 gns at the sales and hails from a yard that have few first time out winners in this age group.

Form:

(9)

Tigre du Terre

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: R Hannon

14/1

€55,000 son of Le Havre out of a mare who won a couple of races in France. Looks the type to need further but holds a Super Sprint entry. Worth a check in the market but generally the yard's youngsters are arriving in search of experience.

Form:

Non-Runners

(1)

Barbarianatthegate⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: B J Meehan J: Charles Bishop

Forecasts

Laugh A Minute (15/8), Christopher Wood (9/4), Champs De Reves (13/2), Barbarianatthegate (8/1), Cuban Heel (9/1), Tigre du Terre (14/1), Freebe Rocks (14/1), Galactic (20/1), Mr Large (20/1), Protected Guest (33/1)

This is not as competitive as the first heat and CHRISTOPHER WOOD is taken to confirm the favourable impression he created at Salisbury on his debut when landing what looked a decent maiden. He attracted significant support that day and is clearly held in some regard. Laugh A Minute is feared given the record of the trainer/jockey combination this year, whilst Champs de Reves looks best of the rest.