20:00 Chelmsford City

Thursday 14 February 2019

All16:4517:2017:5518:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Double Delight Hat-Trick Heaven At totesport.com Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 20:03 | Winning time: 2m 8.02s

(1)

Cirque Royal¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C Appleby

1/3

From family of smart stayer Torcedor, and clear of the others when an excellent second in a 1m1½f novice at Wolverhampton on debut. Sets a lofty standard.

Form: 2

(10)

Georgearthurhenry³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: George Wood| T: Miss A Murphy

66/1

Iffraaj colt who cost £25,000 as a yearling. Lost his place after tracking the pace on debut at Southwell last month, and likely to need more time on that evidence.

Form: 8

(5)

Perique¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: E A L Dunlop

12/1

Better effort to date when fourth of 6 in a 1m2f novice at Lingfield earlier in the month, hinting at improvement when needed. Will be of more interest in handicaps.

Form: 74

(4)

Persuading

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: C Appleby

11/4

Half-brother to several winners, including 2-y-o 7f winner Minidress and 1¼m winner Movie Set, both useful. Interesting debutant from same connections as Cirque Royal, and market will reveal what's expected.

Form:

(2)

Ragnar

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D J S Ffrench Davis

12/1

Toronado gelding out of a half-sister to high-class 1m3f winner Erupt out of Group 3 1m1f (Prix Vanteaux) winner Mare Nostrum. Yard not the most prolific, but is capable with right ammunition.

Form:

(7)

Shaleela's Dream^b¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: M M Monaghan| T: M Botti

25/1

Oasis Dream gelding whose sales price dropped noticeably to 35,000 last year. Wore blinkers when down the field on debut, and that headgear retained now. Others preferred.

Form: 6

(6)

Withoutdestination^b1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: M Botti

50/1

Stable companion of Shaleela's Dream who finished last of five on debut when wearing cheekpieces. Now tries blinkers, and has something to prove.

Form: 5

(9)

Copper Rose¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston

25/1

12th foal of a mare who has produced eight winners including AW specialists Russki, The Scorching Wind and Ocean Legend. Didn't meet expectations on debut, hanging left, but ought to have learnt from that.

Form: 8

(8)

Munstead Moonshine²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding

80/1

Sir Percy full sister to three winners, but she has offered little in two starts so far, and will only be of interest when handicapping.

Form: 0-6

(3)

Newsflash¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss A Murphy

66/1

Cheap purchase who failed to beat a rival on her racecourse bow at Lingfield last month, and makes no appeal here.

Form: 0

Forecasts

Cirque Royal (1/3), Persuading (11/4), Ragnar (12/1), Perique (12/1), Copper Rose (25/1), Shaleela's Dream (25/1), Withoutdestination (50/1), Georgearthurhenry (66/1), Newsflash (66/1), Munstead Moonshine (80/1)

Charlie Appleby holds the aces with well-bred newcomer Persuading and form pick CIRQUE ROYAL. The latter sets a very good standard after finishing a clear second on debut, and will be hard to beat with normal progress. Copper Rose showed ability amidst inexperience on her first start, and should do much better, with the longer trip expected to suit.