13:35 Newbury

Friday 17 May 2019

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:5517:30

Starlight Wishes Novice Stakes (Plus 10) (Str) (Div 1)

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 1m 24.00s

(12)

Biometric¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| D

8/1

Bated Breath half-brother to 1m1f G3 Earl of Sefton winner Phoenix Tower and six others. Won 7f novice at Salisbury by a head from Songkran last month, showing a good attitude. Will improve, and respected.

Form: 1

(6)

Aiguillette¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore

100/1

Well beaten on sole juvenile start, and no impact in race won by Biometric at Salisbury last time. This gelding is one for low-grade handicaps unless showing marked improvement here.

Form: 0-7

(2)

City Wanderer¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: M R Channon

20/1

Kodiac gelding who cost 120,000 gns as a yearling and is from a successful family in Germany. Better effort to date when plugging on into third over 7f at Goodwood 13 days ago. May need a stiffer test.

Form: 73

(8)

Cool Possibility

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Winston| T: C HillsWS

33/1

Full-brother to 1m winner Makambe from a good family. Gelded and had wind surgery prior to this debut, which tempers confidence in his immediate prospects, but market useful.

Form:

(1)

Four Feet

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Amelia Glass⁽⁷⁾| T: H Candy

66/1

By Harbour Watch out of a fair 7f winner, and cost just €9,000 as a yearling. Yard can ready a newcomer, but this one doesn't stand out on paper.

Form:

(4)

Majaalis

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas

7/2

€420,000 brother to smart 2-y-o High Celebrity (third in Cheveley Park Stakes) and half-brother to 1½m winner High Memory from family of top-notch US filly Surfside. Makes lots of appeal on paper, and shortlisted on racecourse bow.

Form:

(5)

Red Armada²¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 86

15/8

Best effort to date when second of 11 to Prince Eiji in a 7f maiden at Ascot in September. Bit below that form on final start, but still comes strongly into the reckoning here after a winter break.

Form: 423-

(10)

Reynolds

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton

50/1

Exceed And Excel half-brother to numerous winners, including smart 1¼m-1¾m winner Great Hall. Local stable does well here, and folly to ignore on debut.

Form:

(7)

Strict

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

16/1

Half-brother to smart sprinters Heeraat and Ambiance out of an unraced half-sister to Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Malhub. Debut at this trip suggests he may not have all his family's speed, but he is a newcomer to note in the betting.

Form:

(11)

Excellent Magic

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton

8/1

From an excellent family, her siblings including G3 1¼m winner Folkswood and smart 1¼m winner Good Omen, out of a daughter of Coronation Stakes winner Balisada. Market support should be noted.

Form:

(3)

Levanter

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Mitch Godwin⁽³⁾| T: H J L Dunlop

66/1

Full-sister to Storm Rock, a smart handicapper at around 1m for connections, and modest 6f winner Hurricane Rock. Yard without a winner this season, and would be a surprise if she bucked that trend.

Form:

(13)

Posted^h²³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 88

5/1

Has owner's Oaks winner Time Charter as great-granddam, and pick of her efforts last year when second in a 7f novice at Newmarket on second start. Disappointing since, but has a major chance if back to her best here.

Form: 2286-

Non-Runners

(9)

Nigel Nott

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: D M Simcock J: S Donohoe

Forecasts

Red Armada (15/8), Majaalis (7/2), Posted (5/1), Biometric (8/1), Excellent Magic (8/1), Strict (16/1), Nigel Nott (16/1), City Wanderer (20/1), Cool Possibility (33/1), Reynolds (50/1), Levanter (66/1), Four Feet (66/1), Aiguillette (100/1)

Posted is strictly the one to beat on form, but her Newmarket effort hasn't really worked out, and she has disappointed twice since, so she is opposed with RED ARMADA, who has also shown plenty, and still appears likely to go on to better things. Newcomer Majaalis has an excellent pedigree, and is one to note in the market for his shrewd yard.