16:20 Leicester

Thursday 19 July 2018

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:25

Juliana Abell Nursery

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 1m 24.16s

(8)

Delft Dancer³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 78

7/2

Consistent since breaking her duck in a 5f Nottingham novice in May. Failed to improve stepping up to 6f last time, but still ran creditably, and claims if staying this longer trip.

Form: 31522

(1)

Sword Of Gold¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74

5/1

Seems to have been brought along with nurseries in mind, and not knocked about when a good fourth of 9 to Space Traveller at Doncaster last time. Return to 7f will suit, and further improvement on the cards here.

Form: 864

(7)

Beauty Concept¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 70

17/2

Best effort in novice events when fourth of 7 to More Than This at Haydock (7f) last month, and found drop in trip against him last time. Should do better, and respected despite stiffish mark.

Form: 843

(5)

Early Edition^p1³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 67

16/1

Not progressed from a very promising start at Chepstow in May, but likely to do better now handicapping in headgear, and yard has an excellent record (11-25) in turf nurseries in last few seasons.

Form: 507

(11)

Be Proud¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 67

20/1

Best effort in qualifying runs when fifth over 6f at Chelmsford last month, but failed to progress for step up in trip at Chepstow since, and must step forward, for all he's in capable hands.

Form: 656

(3)

Arctic Spirit³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 67

9/2

Improved from debut when fourth of 14 in a 6f maiden here, and again travelled well when third at Nottingham last time. Type to progress again now handicapping, and shortlisted.

Form: 643

(6)

Max Guevara¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-9| J: B A Curtis| T: W R Muir| OR: 66

16/1

Standout effort in four runs when fifth of 11 in a 6f Windsor novice in May, but beginning to look flattered by that, and beaten in selling class last time.

Form: 9553

(10)

Cruck Railie²²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-4| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 61

11/1

Has shown barely modest form in three runs to date, but those outings all came within a few weeks, and she is likely to improve at some point. Opening mark looks stiff, but market will be informative.

Form: 867

(4)

Corinthian Star¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: N Mackay| T: S Kirk| OR: 60

40/1

Has shown some ability in two AW outings at this trip, and should be more competitive in nurseries, but handicapper has erred on the side of caution with opening mark.

Form: 068

(2)

Hard Taskmaster³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: J F Egan| T: J Tate| OR: 60

15/2

Quite well bred, but hasn't shown a great deal so far, albeit looking to be learning as he goes. Hard to weigh up, but yard's only runner in nurseries so far this year won, so he merits a market check.

Form: 657

(9)

Greeley⁵²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: K T O'Neill| T: B R Millman| OR: 60

14/1

Has shown a little ability in qualifying runs, and gelded prior to this nursery debut, so every chance he will be more competitive from a lowly mark.

Form: 587

Forecasts

Delft Dancer (7/2), Arctic Spirit (9/2), Sword Of Gold (5/1), Hard Taskmaster (15/2), Beauty Concept (17/2), Cruck Railie (11/1), Greeley (14/1), Early Edition (16/1), Max Guevara (16/1), Be Proud (20/1), Corinthian Star (40/1)

Few trainers can boast the strike-rate that Sir Mark Prescott enjoys in nurseries, so it is to be expected that the fitting of cheekpieces will see EARLY EDITION belatedly fulfil the promise of her debut. Sword of Gold and Arctic Spirit have caught the eye in qualifying runs, and appeal as the right sorts to pay their way in this arena, so complete the shortlist.