Gaulby Selling Stakes

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 1m 24.52s

(6)

Forseti^h¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 79| D

8/11

Hard puller who scraped home in a 3-runner handicap at Lingfield in January, and has predictably struggled off higher mark in much better races at Chester since. Takes a marked drop in class here, however, and big chance against inferior rivals.

Form: 674-198

(2)

Meraki^b²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Pinfield| OR: 49

28/1

Didn't cut much ice for Henry Candy last year, but proved he retains that modest ability when fifth of 13 to Comeonfeeltheforce in an apprentice handicap at Kempton last month. Blinkers worn there retained, but has much more on his plate here.

Form: 60864-5

(5)

Ventura Bay²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65| BF

7/4

Has made the frame eight times without winning, going closest in a selling handicap at Ripon last time when worn down after making most. Solid claims on form, but his maiden status is a minor sticking point.

Form: 66-4442

(1)

Little Tipple⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: B Doyle| T: J Ryan| OR: 42

66/1

Just a poor maiden on balance, and while she wasn't beaten that far at Brighton last time, she is flattered by her proximity, and makes limited appeal, even at this level.

Form: 6-09077

(4)

Luna Princess^p²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Hayley Turner| T: M Appleby| OR: 51

10/1

Best recent effort when third in a 1m soft-ground handicap at Carlisle on penultimate outing. Failed to match that on Polytrack last time, and while she has place claims, she needs others to falter if she's to shed her maiden status.

Form: 667736

(3)

Tigerinmytank³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R Ffrench| T: J R Holt| OR: 45

100/1

Showed bits and pieces for Tom Clover last year, but efforts for new yard suggest she is of no real merit any more.

Form: 79-8079

Forecasts

Forseti (8/11), Ventura Bay (7/4), Luna Princess (10/1), Meraki (28/1), Little Tipple (66/1), Tigerinmytank (100/1)

Something of a shock if this doesn't boil down to a match between FORSETI and Ventura Bay. The former is giving away plenty of weight, but is a proven winner, for all his free-going tendencies can compromise him, and he's preferred to the long-standing maiden Ventura Bay. Luna Princess is best of the rest, but will need the principals to falter if she's to score.