15:25 Newcastle

Friday 8 September 2017

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

MMB Blaydon Race Nursery

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 1m 43.65s

(2)

Curiosity³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: J Mitchell| T: H Palmer| OR: 90| C

3/1

Broke his duck over 6f here in June which is fast becoming a yearly winner fest for his trainer, and followed up over an extra furlong at Ascot in July. Outclassed at Goodwood latest, but every likelihood he'll stay 1m.

Form: 3116

(1)

Kit Marlowe⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| C

14/1

Narrow winner of a 7f course maiden in June (beat Weellan), and probably performed to a similar level in better races at Chelmsford since. Should stay this trip on pedigree, albeit his recent Chelmsford third was inconclusive.

Form: 253123

(6)

Indomeneo²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80| BF

9/2

Put in his place by his sole market rival at Ffos Las (7½f) last month, but his hanging might well be attributed to heavy ground. Progressive prior to that, and handled this track well on debut when a runner up to Rajasinghe (6f).

Form: 21212

(4)

Codicil²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 79| D

9/4

Unbeaten filly who has improved with each start, and scored by a head on her nursery debut over this trip at Windsor last month. She's up 3lb and whilst her form mightn't be the strongest on offer is a worthy contender.

Form: 111

(5)

Footsteps Forever⁴⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-8| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 77| BF

9/1

Looked strong stamina wise when off the mark over 6f at Pontefract in June, but raced too keenly when a beaten favourite at Musselburgh latest (7f). Needs to drop the anchor to stay, but her opening mark looks reasonable.

Form: 612

(3)

Weellan^p1²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: J Quinn| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 72| BF

8/1

A six race maiden who was beaten two necks by Codicil at Beverley in August, and went down by a similar margin at Ayr latest (7f+). Connections reach for cheek-pieces seeking more in a stronger race.

Form: 322032

(7)

Poet's Dawn¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72

25/1

Has plenty of experience with eight starts 'in the bank'. A winner over 7½f at Beverley in June, this colt went close over this trip at Ripon last month (beaten a neck by Veejay), but this race is two grades higher.

Form: 713652

(8)

Star Of Zaam^p⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 8-2| J: A Mullen| T: K R Burke| OR: 71

10/1

Consistent in the main, but his sole success came in a very winnable 6f novice stakes at Catterick in July. Yet to race beyond 7f, and this looks a step too far over a demanding 1m.

Form: 522133

Forecasts

Codicil (9/4), Curiosity (3/1), Indomeneo (9/2), Weellan (8/1), Footsteps Forever (9/1), Star Of Zaam (10/1), Kit Marlowe (14/1), Poet's Dawn (25/1)

Not the big field Blaydon Race Nursery of yesteryear, but a competitive race to solve nevertheless with the unbeaten filly Codicil likely to head the market. There can be no denying that she's a progressive sort, but this represents her toughest test yet and she hasn't anything in hand with a rather exposed looking Weellan on Beverley form from early August. Curiosity is a course winner, but concedes weight to all of his rivals, so preference is for one of the Mark Johnston trained runners. FOOTSTEPS FOREVER was following an upward curve prior to refusing to settle at Musselburgh latest, and the suspicion is that she might have been underestimated by the handicapper accordingly and she's undeniably bred to stay if electing to drop the anchor for Franny Norton.