15:20 Redcar

Friday 19 October 2018

All13:4514:1514:4515:2015:5016:2016:5517:25

Market Cross Jewellers British EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 1m 38.90s

(2)

Barend Boy^v1²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 80

28/1

Won his first start after being gelded when landing a 6f handicap on the turf course at Lingfield back in July; hit with a stiff 10lb rise for those exertions and has struggled as a result since. Another stiff test ahead in a first-time visor.

Form: 651807

(4)

Ride The Monkey²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: A Mullen| T: M Dods| C

12/1

Was a surprise winner (odds of 25/1) over 6f here on debut last month but ran out a convincing winner and should have more to offer. Step up in trip should suit and can be thereabouts if taking another step forward.

Form: 1

(10)

Barys²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 80| BF

7/4

Shown promise without winning any of his three previous starts but created the impression he needs this sort of trip with a near miss last time out (not beaten far despite finishing fifth). Yet to race on soft ground, so a betting check is advised.

Form: 345

(1)

Custard¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer

250/1

Bred to get a good deal further than this and, as he was never a factor on debut at Musselburgh last the month, the gelding already has improvement to find. Best watched until stepping up in trip judging by his first start.

Form: 5

(7)

Fox Leicester⁴¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

9/4

An expensive recruit but didn't handle the course on debut at Chester, which is best forgotten. However, showed he has ability with a sound effort at Ascot last month. Races on different ground here but going the right way. One to bear in mind.

Form: 53

(11)

Iron Mike¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish

100/1

Started slowly on debut at Pontefract and ran in snatches near the finish. Drops back in trip, which may help, but still has a bit to prove after that run.

Form: 4

(5)

Lord North

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden

7/2

A rare runner at the course for his high-profile yard but this nicely-bred (by Godolphin) colt looks the part on paper and is one to monitor closely in the betting. Interesting contender.

Form:

(9)

Lucipherus

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: M Botti

16/1

Cost 42,00 gns and is a half-brother to winners between 1m and 1m2f. dam is an unraced sister to Breeders Cup winner, Domedriver, so cut in the ground could suit. one to bear in mind if he is supported for a first-time out win.

Form:

(6)

Play It By Ear²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine

16/1

Never managed to get on terms when sixth of nine at Pontefract on debut but likely to have benefitted from the run and may have more to offer. Improvement needed though.

Form: 6

(8)

Arctic Fox⁴⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey

20/1

Didn't quite see out the mile on debut at Doncaster but lacked the speed to challenge over 7f on the AW at Newcastle last time. May do better over when she goes handicapping - probably over a longer trip.

Form: 43

Non-Runners

(3)

Gordalan¹³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: B Ellison J: Ben Robinson

Forecasts

Barys (7/4), Fox Leicester (9/4), Lord North (7/2), Ride The Monkey (12/1), Gordalan (14/1), Play It By Ear (16/1), Lucipherus (16/1), Arctic Fox (20/1), Barend Boy (28/1), Iron Mike (100/1), Custard (250/1)

A few of these have the potential to make this a good test and while the likes of Barys, Fox Leicester and Lucipherus all make the shortlist as leading candidates and ones to follow, the well-bred LORD NORTH has been found a good opportunity to shine and is forwarded as the most interesting option for a punt. His yard has a healthy strike-rate with its juveniles and can strike again with this son of the high-class Dubawi.