17:20 Newmarket

Friday 18 August 2017

All17:2017:5018:2018:5019:2519:55

Fly London Southend Airport To Perpignan Novice Auction Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 1m 27.27s

(6)

Finsbury Park¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: S W Kelly| T: R Brisland| OR: 76| D

8/1

Outclassed when sent off at a huge price at Goodwood last time out, but showed promise before that, including when winning a similar race to this at Sandown in July (7f, good). Penalised here but at a much more appropriate level.

Form: 518

(8)

Alternative Fact

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop

16/1

Dalakhani colt who cost 35,000gns as a yearling. Half-brother has won over this trip and an eye-catching jockey is booked on debut. The market should prove informative.

Form:

(7)

Letsbe Avenue²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon

20/1

Has run to a similar, moderate level on his two starts so far, though has shown a tendency to race keenly in the early stages, and could prove more effective if overcoming that with experience.

Form: 67

(4)

Highlight Reel^h1²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: M L W Bell| OR: 78| BF

7/2

Outclassed in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot but has run very well on his other two starts, failing by only a length at Newcastle last time (7f, standard). Hood on now and holds leading claims for some top connections.

Form: 203

(9)

Petra's Pony²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Martin Lane| T: B J Meehan

33/1

Well beaten when sent off an unfancied 50/1 on debut at Sandown last time out. Would need to take a big step forward in order to figure here against rivals who have shown much more.

Form: 7

(5)

La Diva²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Varian

8/11

Ran a fine race to finish second on debut over C&D last time out Beaten only by an impressive winner there and should be capable of better for a well-respected trainer.

Form: 2

(1)

Tarnemah¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: G Peckham

100/1

Hasn't shown much on either of her two starts to date, and was particularly ineffective over C&D last time out. Others make much more appeal.

Form: 50

(3)

Casey Banter¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-7| J: Joey Haynes| T: Miss J Feilden

66/1

Failed to improve from her first to second run when finishing down the field at Yarmouth last time. That did look a tougher race than her debut in selling company, but she is still a way below the quality likely required here.

Form: 37

(2)

Mandarin Princess

Age: 2| Weight: 8-7| J: Danny Brock| T: P J McBride

33/1

Vale Of York filly who cost 2,000gns as a yearling. Not the most obvious pedigree for a first time out victory and others are preferred.

Form:

(10)

Ruby's Gem²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 8-7| J: S De Sousa| T: P J McBride

8/1

Much better on her second start over C&D last time out, when running creditably having been sent off at 25/1. More needed now but could be capable of hitting the frame at least with a top jockey in the saddle.

Form: 74

Forecasts

La Diva (8/11), Highlight Reel (7/2), Finsbury Park (8/1), Ruby's Gem (8/1), Alternative Fact (16/1), Letsbe Avenue (20/1), Petra's Pony (33/1), Mandarin Princess (33/1), Casey Banter (66/1), Tarnemah (100/1)

A few of these have demonstrated promise in their races to date, and LA DIVA ran an eye-catching race on debut over C&D last time out and seems the sort to improve on her second run having gone down to an impressive winner (place in Group company since) on that occasion. Highlight Reel's only poor performance to date came in a much higher level than this at Royal Ascot and is feared most, ahead of narrow Sandown maiden winner Finsbury Park, who also receives plenty of class relief after running in a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood last time.