Holderness Plate Fillies' Novice Stakes

Off time: 17:28 | Winning time: 2m 11.22s

(2)

Bob's Girl^h¹⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 43

125/1

Didn't run too badly when fourth here in September, but she's been soundly beaten in two subsequent starts, and this long-standing maiden is out of her depth here.

Form: 665400-

(3)

Ejabah⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: C Smith| OR: 34

200/1

Runner-up twice in her career, but those second have come in three-horse races and the fact is that she is a very moderate performer who faces an almost impossible task in this company.

Form: 060-629

(4)

Trulove¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: J Riches| OR: 41

200/1

Not beaten far at Newcastle on her penultimate outing, but that came in a low-grade handicap, and she has had plenty of chances in much weaker races than this without looking like winning.

Form: 8076-88

(5)

Mannaal¹⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford| BF

5/6

Dubawi filly out of a Group 3 winner who made a stylish winning debut at Nottingham (1m½f) in October. Heavily backed to build on that in a Listed race at Newmarket, and while she could only finish fourth, that still sets the form standard.

Form: 14-

(1)

Illumined

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden

6/4

Sea The Moon half-sister to smart 1m3f winner Night Tango and useful 2-y-o 7f/1m winner Night Lagoon. In excellent hands, and this 160,000 gns purchase needs respect on her racecourse bow.

Form:

(6)

Maktabba¹⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| BF

11/2

Well bred Dansili filly who represents powerful connections. Shaped quite well when fifth of 11 in a 1m novice at Newbury in October, and looks the type to improve markedly as a three-year-old.

Form: 5-

Forecasts

Mannaal (5/6), Illumined (6/4), Maktabba (11/2), Bob's Girl (125/1), Ejabah (200/1), Trulove (200/1)

Only three of any interest here, but each of them has something to offer, and a narrow vote goes to MANNAAL, who has the best form, and was made favourite to win a Listed race when last seen. Maktabba showed enough on her debut at Newbury to think she can go well, with plenty of improvement on the cards, and newcomer Illumined is well bred and in excellent hands, so can't be dismissed.