14:05 Catterick

Tuesday 7 August 2018

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:4517:15

British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 1m 26.99s

(5)

Allatoona¹¹

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

22/1

Better than the bare facts of his run at York would suggest showing up well before having steering problems in the closing stages. Will need to improve on that run and the yard have a better fancied one in Commander Solo.

Form: 0

(2)

Al Mortajaz^t²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 77

7/4

Making steady progress and could well put his experience to good use here having turned in his best performance last time with a tongue-tie (retained here) on for the first-time. Well drawn for one who seemingly likes to attack from the front.

Form: 732

(1)

Commander Solo¹¹

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

7/2

Never really in the race on his debut and it took a long while for the penny to drop over 7f at York. That did show that he had ability though and more is expected here on his second start from a good draw.

Form: 7

(8)

Siege

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn

6/1

Yard are in superb form at the moment but have only had one winning debutante two-year-old in the past year (1-14). This one is a half-brother to a couple of decent winner with the unraced dam coming from a good family; not without a chance.

Form:

(7)

Sky Cross⁵³

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

5/2

Good pedigree and made his debut in a race at Sandown where the yard had a good recent record (well found in the market). Made an unpromising start despite all of that though finishing last; needs to bounce back here.

Form: 0

(6)

The Big Bad¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: A Crook| OR: 67

20/1

Has at least won a race but that win only came in a seller from which he was claimed straight after by this yard. Now makes his debut for new connections but up in grade and work to do to score in this company.

Form: 821

Non-Runners

(4)

Constant⁴⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: K R Burke J: C Lee

(3)

Ollivander

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: D O'Meara J: P Makin

Forecasts

Al Mortajaz (7/4), Sky Cross (5/2), Commander Solo (7/2), Siege (6/1), Constant (6/1), Ollivander (8/1), The Big Bad (20/1), Allatoona (22/1)

There are a few that are likely to show improvement in this and that may well make Al Mortajaz vulnerable despite the fact that he’s well drawn and has the edge in terms of experience. Sky Cross ran too badly to be true first-time out in a race his yard have previous form in and it would be no surprise to see him fare better now. Constant is another who looks sure to come on for his first racing experience but the vote goes to COMMANDER SOLO for whom the penny gradually dropped at York on his debut. Siege from the John Quinn yard that are going so well at the moment is a newcomer well worth noting especially if the market speaks for him.