Virginia Beardsley 50th Birthday Novice Stakes

Off time: 21:00 | Winning time: 1m 16.26s

(1)

The Gingerbreadman¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 41

50/1

Very lowly-rated 12-race maiden; impossible to fancy on these terms (or any other); look elsewhere with immense confidence.

Form: 06650-5

(5)

After John⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: M R Channon

7/4

30,000gns yearling from the family of Notnowcato; has shown definite signs of ability on both starts so far (Salisbury and Newbury), although was readily brushed aside by the promising 7L winner Jubiloso last week.

Form: 32

(2)

Dream of Honour^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77

6/1

Nine-race maiden who appears to handle most conditions; gelded ahead of his seasonal reappearance fifth of 11 to Destination at Wetherby (7f, good to soft); the drop back in trip a positive move, albeit others do appeal more.

Form: 03427-5

(4)

Qutob²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: C Hills| OR: 82| BF

1/1

£160,000 yearling who has the strongest form in the book despite having also had plenty of chances (2,2,3,3,2); beaten favourite on three occasions, including when just failing to reel in Dominus at Goodwood (7f, good) three weeks ago.

Form: 223-32

(3)

Texting³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: M Moubarak

12/1

Just touched off by a short-head when splitting a pair of James Bethell-trained fillies' over C&D (good to firm) in April; that form mightn't necessarily be overly strong, but she's clearly improving and will handle these conditions.

Form: 3-2

Forecasts

Qutob (1/1), After John (7/4), Dream of Honour (6/1), Texting (12/1), The Gingerbreadman (50/1)

After John bumped into a very talented horse (Jubiloso) at Newbury last week and this race looks to be far less competitive. However, his Salisbury debut third took a blow when the fourth-placed Voltaic was easily fended off at Brighton on Tuesday. Therefore, it's off into battle we head with the Charles Hills-trained QUTOB who sets the standard despite a mightily frustrating sequence of form figures which read 2,2,3,3,2. Texting is the clear pick of the remaining trio.