18:05 Sandown

Thursday 9 August 2018

All17:3018:0518:3519:1019:4020:15

Slug And Lettuce Christmas EBF Novice Stakes

Off time: 18:06 | Winning time: 1m 2.97s

(5)

Good Luck Fox¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 79| D

11/4

Finished last on his first two starts although he did show some promise in both with the promise of better to come. Duly found that improvement at Windsor last time winning with a bit in hand with further progress likely; best at 5f.

Form: 761

(2)

Mutawaffer^h1⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: L Dettori| T: C Hills| OR: 89

8/15

Confirmed the promise he showed on his debut at Ascot when taking a 6f novice at Goodwood on his second start (form well advertised). Stepped up to Listed class at Royal Ascot when a well found 8/1 chance (below-par); now hooded for an easier task.

Form: 410

(1)

Khorramshahr⁵⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: G & J Moore

50/1

Made very little impression on his debut over 5f at Windsor before showing a little more second time out upped to 6f at Goodwood. Now returned to 5f and needs this run for a mark in handicaps where he will be more at home.

Form: 08

(3)

Tomshalfbrother¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 73

14/1

Slow burner who has progressed gradually by the run turning in his best performance so far last time to be beaten just under 2L by Good Luck Fox. Gets a 7lb pull here which will make that contest closer but more of a nursery type.

Form: 782

(6)

Melya²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: S De Sousa| T: P & O Cole

25/1

Bred to be a speedy and a precocious type she turned in what was a modest first effort at Windsor over 5f finishing last of eight (beaten around 7L). May do a little better here but hard to see her being good enough to win something like this.

Form: 8

(4)

Royal Dynasty

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M Beckett

9/1

Newcomer from a yard who are 4-33 with their two-year-olds this season (2-17 with debutantes) with this one a half-sister to two winners. Dam was a winner over sprint trips and worth more than a glance if there is market support.

Form:

Non-Runners

(7)

Dance To Freedom

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: S C Williams J: Harry Bentley

Forecasts

Mutawaffer (8/15), Good Luck Fox (11/4), Royal Dynasty (9/1), Tomshalfbrother (14/1), Dance To Freedom (20/1), Melya (25/1), Khorramshahr (50/1)

For whatever reason MUTAWAFFER failed to fire in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot having run well previously and now with a hood on for the first-time he should take plenty of beating in a race of this nature. Good Luck Fox is the other winner in the field who already has a victory over Tomshalfbrother to his name although the 7lb pull in the weights for the latter of that pair will bring them closer together. Most of the others will be headed down the nursery route once they are qualified although newcomer Royal Dynasty is bred to be useful and the Beckett yard can get one ready first-time out.