British Stallion Studs EBF Filbert Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 1m 44.46s

(5)

Brasca

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett

9/4

60,000gns yearling. Full-brother to Listed-placed 1m winner Highgarden (two, stays 1m4f), half-brother to Listed-placed 7f winner (at two) Reglisse and Qatar 6f/7f winner Regality. Dam 1m winner. Stable 13% with juveniles this season. Market check.

Form:

(2)

Desert Friend

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

6/4

11,000gns (vendor) yearling. Closely related to 1m½f-1m3½f winner Solidarity (inc at two), half-brother to 6f AW winner Brave Leader and 1m2f winner Tribal Conquest. Dam 1m2f winner. Stable's juveniles 25% this year. Can probably go well on debut.

Form:

(3)

In The Cove⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon

7/1

Well held in both starts so far and already looking as though he will make more appeal when sent handicapping.

Form: 70

(4)

Purdey's Gift

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding

11/4

100,000gns yearling. Half-brother to 6f (at two) winner Most Beautiful (inc. Group 3) and 1m winner Pick Your Battle, out of 1m½f winner. Stable 15% with juveniles this season and in good form. May well be capable of a competitive debut.

Form:

Non-Runners

(1)

Al Mureib²⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: S bin Suroor J: Hayley Turner

(6)

Judy Be Careful⁴

Weight: 8-11| Age: 2

T: J Hughes J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Al Mureib (8/11), Desert Friend (6/4), Brasca (9/4), Purdey's Gift (11/4), In The Cove (7/1), Judy Be Careful (50/1)

It is tempting to look at newcomers Purdey's Gift, from a stable that has been in good form for some time and also Desert Friend, from a yard whose two-year-olds have enjoyed a better-than-average season, when trying to find the winner here. Either may be up to the task, but we will give the experienced AL MUREIB another chance to break his duck. He went very close last time and third that day, who was 5L adrift, has since franked the form. He should prove tough to topple.