19:25 Newcastle

Thursday 10 August 2017

All17:5018:2018:5519:2520:0020:3021:00

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Median Auction Stakes

Off time: 19:33 | Winning time: 1m 15.53s

(10)

Ingenuity²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| D

3/1

Built upon a promising debut when showing tenacity to score by a nose from subsequent York winner Hey Jonesy (pair clear) over 6f at Carlisle last month. That form has a solid feel, and a major chance of following up despite the penalty on AW debut.

Form: 31

(13)

Character Witness¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Varian

5/2

Steady in both starts so far (both over 6f) but bred to come into his own when upped in trip. Hails from a yard that must be given respect and likely to perform creditably once more on AW debut.

Form: 64

(3)

El Bertie¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby

125/1

No obvious promise on either start to date, but probably found the step up in trip to 7f here last month a bridge too far. The winner has been successful since, and this drop in trip is a bonus but needs to show much more now.

Form: 08

(1)

Gorse

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: Mrs A Duffield

40/1

Zebedee gelding who cost £16,000 as a yearling and has plenty of speed in his pedigree, yard's record with 2yo's this season is not great and probably best watched on debut. Non-runner at Musselburgh last week.

Form:

(9)

Life For Rent²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby

20/1

Even allowing for a tricky draw, appeared to take a backward step from his debut when a well held third at Pontefract and this looks tougher.

Form: 43

(11)

Merkava¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: R Brisland

12/1

Midfield finish and in amongst those of the same age group when fourth of seven on debut to the three-year-old Millie's Kiss at Yarmouth last month. Should be wiser now, but improvement needed.

Form: 4

(5)

The Auld Hoose¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey

25/1

$45,000 juvenile whose dam was a winner of a seller (but crucially out of a half-sister to Racing Post Trophy/Dante winner Dilshaan). Could've been expected to do better on debut at Carlisle but that experience will not have been lost on him and this faster racing surface should suit.

Form: 7

(6)

The Gingerbreadman⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Paula Muir⁽⁷⁾| T: C W Fairhurst

150/1

Brother to the stables 6f winner The Armed Man, but slowly away on debut at Redcar in June (6f) and struggling badly by halfway.

Form: 7

(8)

True North

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Rosie Jessop⁽³⁾| T: Sir Mark Prescott

25/1

50,000 gns yearling by Henrythenavigator out of Cosmic Fire. Half-brother to a couple of winners including Ray's The Bar and whilst likely to be suited by longer trips ultimately is worthy of a check for market support on debut.

Form:

(2)

Awesometank²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: K Stott| T: W J Haggas

8/1

25,000 gns foal by Intense Focus who was doing all of her best work late when fourth of 11 to Golden Salute at Windsor in mid July (5f good to firm). This stiff track and extra furlong should suit her perfectly and her rider knows this track far better than most.

Form: 4

(4)

Fabulous Red²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: A Fresu| T: E A L Dunlop

9/2

No reason to knock either of her efforts to date, with her 1L debut second to Eirene at Doncaster in June (soft) particularly pleasing. Switches to the AW for the first time and the uphill finish aspect of this track should play to the strengths of a horse who is bred to stay longer trips.

Form: 24

(7)

Hikmaa

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Adam Beschizza| T: E F Vaughan

14/1

Unraced filly by Roderic O'Connor out of unraced dam Alice Liddel. First foal who cost 10,000 gns earlier this year, with the market the best guide to her chance.

Form:

(12)

Lady Cashmere¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: A C Whillans

125/1

Out of her depth on debut at Ayr last month (6f novice stakes) and a similar tale is likely to unfold. Could be of minor interest once handicapping assuming she can progress steadily with more experience.

Form: 7

(14)

North Road Revue⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby

125/1

Masses to find with Ingenuity on their Carlisle clash last month (6f good to firm) and no signs that substantial improvement was forthcoming at Redcar last week. One for nurseries.

Form: 78

Forecasts

Character Witness (5/2), Ingenuity (3/1), Fabulous Red (9/2), Awesometank (8/1), Merkava (12/1), Hikmaa (14/1), Life For Rent (20/1), The Auld Hoose (25/1), True North (25/1), Gorse (40/1), North Road Revue (125/1), El Bertie (125/1), Lady Cashmere (125/1), The Gingerbreadman (150/1)

Ingenuity sets the benchmark and was a gritty, determined winner at Carlisle last month, and with that form having a solid feel, he's likely to play a leading role on AW debut. However, it's also difficult to knock what the likes of Character Witness and Fabulous Red have achieved to date, and with both horses bred to be suited by longer trips they should relish this stiff and galloping 6f trip. The same comment is likely true with regards AWESOMETANK who caught the eye making strong late headway at Windsor on debut (5f). This extra furlong appears certain to suit, and she is partnered by the excellent Kevin Stott who has mastered riding this track to perfection.