14:25 Chester

Sunday 5 August 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:4017:10

MBNA / EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 27.14s

(1)

The Trader²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| D

4/6

Made all over 7½f at Beverley latest where he displayed a really likable attitude. Carries a 3lb penalty for that success here but with the plum draw in his favour he is going to set a searching gallop and looks the one to beat.

Form: 41

(7)

Furyan⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: N Tinkler

33/1

Beaten 14½L when eighth of 11 on debut at York last week and was in the rear throughout. Significant improvement required to play any major role here.

Form: 8

(2)

Gabrial The One²³

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

6/1

Finished fifth in both races to date at York and latterly here, both over 6f. Looked as though he may appreciate extra 1f latest as pedigree suggests but would need to step up to trouble the principles.

Form: 55

(6)

Military Missile

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Finley Marsh⁽⁵⁾| T: M D I Usher

33/1

2,500gns foal from the first crop of Battle Of Marengo, a Group Two winning two-year-old and Derby fourth out of an Italian 7f and 1m winner. Trainer not known for two-year old wins so watching brief recommended.

Form:

(9)

Sevenhillsofrome

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe

14/1

€80,000 yearling by Siyouni is half-brother to four winners in France at 1m plus. One of two stable newcomers in this race and this one looks first string on jockey bookings so worth following the market.

Form:

(4)

Spirit Warning¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

11/4

Soundly beaten on debut behind one of the leading juveniles in Calyx but ran on strongly latest when only beaten ½L at Epsom over 7f. Looks sure to play a leading role here based on that evidence.

Form: 72

(8)

Wild Edric

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe

33/1

£6,500 yearling by Equiano out of a dam who was placed as a two-year old. Not the most attractive pedigree and stable second string on jockey bookings so overlooked here.

Form:

(3)

Yes Master

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

25/1

14,000gns foal by Mastercraftsman is half brother to three winners, two of which at up to 1m4f. Trainer not had many newcomers but looks likely to need the run and probably longer trips.

Form:

(5)

Illegitimate Gains²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: N Mackay| T: A West

50/1

Zebedee filly was third of five on debut at Epsom last month but beaten some 11½L there. Improvement needed to play a major role although she is open to some.

Form: 3

Forecasts

The Trader (4/6), Spirit Warning (11/4), Gabrial The One (6/1), Sevenhillsofrome (14/1), Yes Master (25/1), Wild Edric (33/1), Furyan (33/1), Military Missile (33/1), Illegitimate Gains (50/1)

THE TRADER looked like the classic Mark Johnston type at Beverley as he galloped his rivals into submission. With the inside stall here the same tactics are expected and he looks capable of defying the penalty to win this. The main danger appears to be Spirit Warning who finished really strongly at Epsom and he will be hoping to pick his rival off late on. Gabrial The One looks best of the rest and if this extra furlong can bring about some improvement he shouldn't be far away.