toteexacta Pick The 1st And 2nd Novice Stakes

Off time: 18:18 | Winning time: 1m 27.56s

(5)

Shining Valley

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: B R Johnson

25/1

Unraced four-year-old Clodovil gelding cost just £2000 when purchased by current connections 13 months ago. Half brother to nine winners at around 8-10f, but expected to better for this debut experience.

Form:

(4)

Jellmood^h⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti| OR: 92| D

2/9

Went close on a couple of occasions as a juvenile before winning Wolverhampton 7f novice stakes in December. Runner-up to fair sorts last two starts and is the leading form contender.

Form: 22912-2

(2)

Intense Pleasure²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| BF

7/2

150,000 guineas Sepoy colt made favourite but only fourth of 6 in Lingfield A/W novice stakes last month. Showed some ability though and surely better for experience. Extra furlong should help and rates a potential improver.

Form: 4

(1)

Mochalov⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Danny Brock| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

50/1

Denounce gelding who showed very little on only start so far when 11th of 12 at Wolverhampton in December, beaten a long way after starting slowly. Plenty of room for improvement but likely to need more time.

Form: 0-

Non-Runners

(3)

Muraaqeb¹⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: J M Bradley J: H Crouch

Forecasts

Jellmood (2/9), Intense Pleasure (7/2), Shining Valley (25/1), Muraaqeb (33/1), Mochalov (50/1)

The fact that connections are prepared to take on the clear BHA ratings pick Jellmood with INTENSE PLEASURE suggests they may feel their horse is open to improvement and can land the spoils. He hinted at ability when well backed on his racecourse bow. Jellmood sets a good standard and his experience is a big plus. He rates a very big danger. The other three all look likely to do better once going handicapping, but Mochalov might win the race for third place.