British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 1m 49.74s

(3)

Sootability¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey

5/4

Gradually put the pieces together when making a winning debut at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) last month, giving the distinct impression that there was plenty more to come in beating a couple of today's rivals; upped in trip.

Form: 1

(4)

Cape Islay

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston

5/1

Unraced eighth foal by Cape Cross out of the 7f juvenile winner Eilean Ban; cost €15,000 as a yearling and is a sister to the French (1m)/German (7f) winner Emboss; market a guide.

Form:

(2)

Divinity¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke

3/1

Third foal, and a sister to the 7f winner Noble Masterpiece. Her dam was a winner over 1m4f, so this step up in trip from debut (7f) is a positive move, but she has almost 6L to make up on the now penalised Sootability.

Form: 6

(5)

Royal Variety¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: J Tate

9/1

Ran to a similar level in both starts so far (7f), including on turf debut at Thirsk latest, when finishing just over 5L fourth of 13 to Sootability; open to slightly less improvement than both that rival and Divinity.

Form: 34

(1)

Sweet Pearl

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Hannon

6/1

Unraced third foal by Dunaden out of a well-related maiden dam (a half-sister to Canadian 1m1f Grade 3 winner Alexis); represents powerful owners and a leading trainer, so commands respect on debut in a very winnable looking contest.

Form:

Forecasts

Sootability (5/4), Divinity (3/1), Cape Islay (5/1), Sweet Pearl (6/1), Royal Variety (9/1)

Sootability was increasingly stronger as the race progressed at Thirsk, so she'll be suited by this step up in trip and will more than likely confirm form with both Divinity and Royal Variety. However, that probably wasn't the strongest of contests on paper, so the benchmark perhaps isn't set overly high for the debutantes Cape Islay and SWEET PEARL. Whilst the market should provide more information, the Richard Hannon-trained filly is preferred on pedigree.