17:40 Newcastle

Thursday 23 November 2017

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:1017:40

32Red.com EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10) (Div 2)

Off time: 17:42 | Winning time: 1m 13.20s

(1)

Assertainty¹²

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

40/1

Raced keenly but was in rear throughout on debut at Doncaster when 10th of 11. Big step up on that required and hard to find much encouragement from that.

Form: 0

(4)

Balmec⁵⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Gray| T: Mrs A Duffield

100/1

Two distant sevenths of eight at Catterick and Pontefract in September his only races so far. Much improved showing needed after short break.

Form: 77

(3)

Furzig¹⁹

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

5/2

Easy to back on debut but ran an excellent race when a close third over course and distance. With natural progression from that run he is sure to be a leading player today.

Form: 3

(2)

Laubali³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 69| BF

9/1

Couple of promising thirds at Lingfield (turf) and Beverley led to him being favourite at Yarmouth but he was very disappointing there when 11th of 13. Must bounce back but chance if he does.

Form: 8330

(6)

Midsummer Knight²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 77

13/8

Six starts to date yielded four seconds and filled that spot both starts for current yard. Headed late on at Wolverhampton last time over this trip. Others open to more improvement but form pretty solid so sure to go well.

Form: 422622

(10)

Royal Prospect²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss J A Camacho

4/1

Green but promising on debut when sixth of eleven at Nottingham. Built on that when a close fourth at Redcar last time and looks to have each-way potential here.

Form: 64

(9)

The British Lion¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston

7/1

Beaten 13½L when seventh of nine on debut at Doncaster over 6f. Leading trainer's two-year olds often improve although he would have to quite significantly.

Form: 7

(8)

Ideal Spirit¹²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: S H James| T: K Tutty

40/1

Showed limited ability in races at Beverley and Catterick in July. Changed stables now but hard to fancy on evidence to date.

Form: 95

(5)

Matilda Grace

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson

100/1

Lilbourne Lad newcomer is half-sister to five winners from 6f to 2m over jumps. Trainer 0 from 49 with two-year olds in last five years so can't recommend her.

Form:

Result Amended

Midsummer Knight - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 3rd.

The British Lion - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 2nd.

Non-Runners

(11)

Gorgeous General

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: L A Mullaney J: Non Runner

(7)

Royal Residence³⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: J Tate J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Midsummer Knight (13/8), Furzig (5/2), Royal Prospect (4/1), Royal Residence (4/1), The British Lion (7/1), Laubali (9/1), Gorgeous General (25/1), Ideal Spirit (40/1), Assertainty (40/1), Balmec (100/1), Matilda Grace (100/1)

A more competitive contest than the earlier division this. Three of these finished second last time out and the trio are the most likely here. Preference is for ROYAL RESIDENCE who ran well over C&D and a visor is an interesting addition today. Furzig is open to improvement having also been second over C&D on debut so there is every chance he can go one better. Midsummer Knight has filled the silver medal spot four times already including in both starts on AW so he is also an obvious contender.