17:00 Pontefract

Thursday 27 September 2018

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:3518:05

Frier Wood Novice Auction Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 17:03 | Winning time: 1m 46.5s

(4)

Silkstone³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 73

16/1

Has shown good progression with each start and got off the mark at Leicester (7f, good to firm) last time. Shapes likes this extra furlong will very much suit and will be a player once more. Penalty makes life a little tougher.

Form: 631

(9)

Desert Friend¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| D

4/1

11,000gns (vendor) yearling. Made a very good impression on debut when making all in a four-runner contest at Leicester (1m, good to firm). Should be plenty more to come and is very much respected in follow-up bid.

Form: 1

(1)

Never Do Nothing²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| D

7/4

Son of Casamento purchased for €9,000 as a yearling last September. Improved on debut effort when winning comfortably at Thirsk (1m, good) on second start. Should be more to come and good claims of following up.

Form: 31

(8)

Cormier²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: L P Keniry| T: Stef Keniry

33/1

Son of Born To Sea who was sent off at 100/1 for debut at Newcastle (6f, AW) and didn't shape too badly. This trip looks a better option and may well do better although ultimately he will need further than this in time.

Form: 5

(2)

Play It By Ear

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: I Jardine

25/1

Son of Dragon Pulse who fetched £20,000 as a yearling. Dam was placed in Italy and is a half-sister to some smart Italian performers. Market should be a good guide to expectations on debut.

Form:

(7)

The Great Story⁷⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: George Scott

16/1

Sea The Moon colt that cost 22,000 gns as a yearling. Close up fourth on debut at Epsom when not handling the track all that well. First start for new yard today and has the potential to improve on that first effort.

Form: 4

(6)

Chiniak^b⁴⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby

66/1

Big prices and yet to beat a rival home in two starts. Major improvement needed to be involved and pothers have much more pressing claims.

Form: 08

(5)

Spirit Of Lund²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: I Jardine

8/1

Cost €18,000 as a yearling and shaped with promise on debut at Musselburgh (7f, good) when missing the break and staying on steadily. Extra furlong here should help and there should be some improvement to come.

Form: 4

(3)

Tribal Commander¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: M L W Bell

2/1

Son of Intikhab bought for £11,000 at the sales last autumn. Made an encouraging debut when running green at Bath (1m, firm). Penny dropped late on there and this stiff finish might well suit. Different conditions here but sure to improve on that.

Form: 2

Forecasts

Never Do Nothing (7/4), Tribal Commander (2/1), Desert Friend (4/1), Spirit Of Lund (8/1), The Great Story (16/1), Silkstone (16/1), Play It By Ear (25/1), Cormier (33/1), Chiniak (66/1)

Despite only beating three rivals DESERT FRIEND was impressive on his debut and can follow-up here under a penalty. He looked to have plenty of gears at Leicester and he may be tough to crack once more. The Great Story, Spirit Of Lund and Tribal Commander all shaped with plenty of promise and with improvement to come, will all be a danger to the selection. Particularly the last name for who the penny only dropped late on rattling fast ground.