Bazuka/EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 18:07 | Winning time: 1m 26.7s

(2)

Al Namir²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon

9/4

Shaped very well on C&D debut, and improved on that when neck second of 7 to King's Command over 6f at Newmarket. Return to this trip will suit, and sets a very solid standard.

Form: 32

(4)

Imperial Empire¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| BF

5/2

Half-brother to owners' G1 Prix Jean Prat runner-up Cascadian. Sent off at 4/6, but looked in need of the experience when sixth of 9 to Thunderous in a 7f novice at Doncaster on debut, and given a chance to show benefit of that run.

Form: 6

(1)

Kassab¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: S W Kelly| T: P W Chapple-Hyam

20/1

85,000 gns breeze-up purchase who showed ability on debut over 6f here, making late progress. Sure to have learnt from that, and not without a chance with extra furlong expected to suit.

Form: 5

(6)

Spreadsheet²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| BF

2/1

Well bred, and well backed (8/11) on Newcastle debut, when edged out by Oti Ma Boati. Form has been let down a little since, but he looks sure to progress, so merits consideration.

Form: 2

(3)

Star Of St Louis¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: D P Quinn

200/1

Has shown a modicum of promise in two starts to date, but not seen his race out either time, and makes minimal appeal in what looks a very warm contest.

Form: 08

(5)

Verboten

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: N Mackay| T: J & T Gosden

11/2

No Nay Never half-brother to 2-y-o 1m1f winner Istanbul Sultan. Price rose to €350,000 last year, and represents a powerful yard, so needs a market check ahead of racecourse bow.

Form:

Forecasts

Spreadsheet (2/1), Al Namir (9/4), Imperial Empire (5/2), Verboten (11/2), Kassab (20/1), Star Of St Louis (200/1)

AL NAMIR sets the bar pretty high on what he's achieved to date, and he looks the one they all have to beat. Imperial Empire and Spreadsheet were sent off at odds-on for their respective debuts, and both shaped with promise, so they appeal as the biggest stumbling blocks to the selection, with the latter feared most after just losing out at Newcastle.