Thyme People EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 29.41s

(5)

The New Marwan²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| BF

5/2

The most experienced in this field having scored at Hamilton in June (6f) getting up to beat a next-time-out winner. Well backed 2-1 favourite when failing to capture a C&D nursery on his handicap debut; gets a good opportunity to atone.

Form: 6213

(2)

Breathalyze³⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe

13/8

Once-raced Bated Breath colt from a yard that have a good record in this race; offered something to work on from his 7f Doncaster debut. Looked the type to do better and the winner has since won under penalty in good style to frank the form.

Form: 3

(1)

Cognac

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston

6/4

Newcomer from the yard that won this last year (stable 8-60 with 2yo debutantes this year); cost €150,000 as a yearling. Brother to several winners including the smart Cable Bay (2yo 6f winner); won't be a surprise if he's ready to go on debut.

Form:

(4)

Contract Kid³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: D M Loughnane

33/1

Yard 1-9 with juveniles this year although this one has shown little in terms of ability so far in a couple of starts separated by a 69-day break. Went with little fluency at Nottingham (6g, good) last time; hard to see him featuring.

Form: 66

(3)

Thomas Hawk³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: A Mullen| T: A D Brown

40/1

0-24 over the last five years with juveniles the opening salvo fired by this one didn't look as though it was going to provide a positive spin on those statistics. Slow away on his debut (started 125-1) over 7f; looks one for the longer term.

Form: 7

(6)

Mrs Tiffen

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Cam Hardie| T: L Williamson

50/1

Stable have only ever had one debut 2yo winner (1-57); expectations are therefore low for this Finjaan filly first-time out. Sister to French 1½m winner Finjaans Rose and half-sister to 3 winners; pedigree suggests time and distance will be needed.

Form:

Forecasts

Cognac (6/4), Breathalyze (13/8), The New Marwan (5/2), Contract Kid (33/1), Thomas Hawk (40/1), Mrs Tiffen (50/1)

The Dascombe and Johnston yards have dominated this event sharing the spoils in the last four years and producing a 1-2 last year with the latter of the duo coming out on top with a penalised runner. No newcomer has ever won this so that may hand the edge to the Dascombe yard this year with Breathalyze sure to come on for his Doncaster initiation and that experience should give him the edge over the Johnston newcomer Cognac. It does look as though Richard Fahey will spoil the party this time around with the experienced THE NEW MARWAN who will find this a bit more to his liking than the tough nursery he ran in last time over C&D.