15:35 Ascot

Friday 5 October 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Londonmetric Noel Murless Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 3m 3.98s

(6)

Sevenna Star^t⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107

13/2

Sandown Classic Trial (Group Three) winner over 1m2f found the Derby and Group Two Great Voltigeur (1m4f) too tough. Always looked likely to appreciate a greater test of stamina so well worth a go here but penalty makes life tougher.

Form: 23-1107

(3)

Austrian School²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102| D

11/2

Having a frustrating time lately with six consecutive placed efforts. Started at distances varying from 1m3f-2m during that run so this trip suits well and after three straight handicap seconds he is deserving of a crack at this level.

Form: 223222

(1)

Ghostwatch^p²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 101| BF| D

2/1

Landed the valuable Melrose handicap at York over this trip and ran another fine race latest when dropped back to 1m4f here when second in another valuable contest. Well worth this first crack at Listed level and rated a leading player.

Form: 315212

(7)

Mekong²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 102| D

11/4

1¾L fourth to Ghostwatch in the Melrose at York sandwiched between two wins. Deeply impressive latest when winning a heavy ground 1m6f handicap at Haydock by 7L. Suggestion is that he is still progressing so could turn the tables on Ghostwatch here.

Form: 172141

(8)

Enbihaar¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden

13/2

€500,000 yearling built on a debut third at Chelmsford when winning impressively at Kempton last time out over 1m3f. Trainer (also runs Sevenna Star) not the sort to tilt at windmills so decision to jump in class is interesting.

Form: 31

(4)

India^h¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S De Sousa| T: M L W Bell| OR: 88

28/1

Won three times this season, all over 1m4f at Catterick. Won comfortably latest and very much looked the sort to appreciate further which is unsurprising as a half-sister to a Gold Cup winner. Interesting now up in trip but a but to do on ratings.

Form: 241211

(5)

Thimbleweed²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 88| BF

14/1

Followed up Salisbury maiden with a Nottingham novice success under a penalty, both races 1m2f. Second latest when upped to 1m4f in a Doncaster handicap despite rider losing rein and looked sure to stay further. Up in class but open to improvement.

Form: 3112

Non-Runners

(2)

Outbox¹¹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: S & E Crisford J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ghostwatch (2/1), Mekong (11/4), Austrian School (11/2), Enbihaar (13/2), Sevenna Star (13/2), Thimbleweed (14/1), Outbox (14/1), India (28/1)

MEKONG was beaten by Ghostwatch when the pair clashed at York but having fairly bolted up ay Haydock latest he may have improved again and is taken to turn the tables here. Sir Michael Stoute famously brings his horses along slowly and this three-year-old looks a classic case. Ghostwatch himself wasn't disgraced in his subsequent run when second in another valuable handicap over 1m4f here. Sevenna Star faces a tough task under his Group Three penalty but he has always looked likely to appreciate this sort of test so should still go well.