World Of James Herriot Novice Stakes

Off time: 16:23 | Winning time: 1m 1.68s

(1)

War Ensign^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 50

2/1

Been kept busy over the last month or so and has put together a nice little sequence of performances. No easy task giving weight away but has a likeable attitude and is capable of playing strong role in this company.

Form: 0-85325

(3)

Marvel¹⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss J A Camacho

13/2

The debut run (6f, slow at Newcastle) from this this Poet's Voice gelding was modest at best; he was struggling from just after half-way and had dropped out tamely by the finish. Big improvement required.

Form: 8

(2)

Final Legacy⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Aled Beech⁽⁷⁾| T: D Shaw

25/1

Not made much of an impact in two starts before now and probably needs a bit more time. Took a keen hold in her latest outing but lacked a tactical change of gear and faded to finish last. Another with big improvement to find.

Form: 60

(5)

Society Star^p1⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Cam Hardie| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 60

8/11

Fairly consistent so far and arguably ran her best race on turf when finishing third of four at Bath last time out. The filly was less then a length behind the winner on that occasion and will be thereabouts with a similar effort here.

Form: 434-473

(4)

Thornton Katie^e/s1,h⁴⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: B Rothwell

80/1

Both previous starts were poor efforts - the filly finished last on both occasions - and the fitting of an eyeshield needs to bring about a near transformation. Not hard to overlook judging by the form in the book.

Form: 90-

Forecasts

Society Star (8/11), War Ensign (2/1), Marvel (13/2), Final Legacy (25/1), Thornton Katie (80/1)

The probably rests between WAR ENSIGN and Society Star, with the first named just edging the nomination on the grounds that he's showed a good attitude of late and he will push his main rival to the limit even though official BHA ratings suggest he's got a bit to prove on these terms. In turn, Society Star is highly respected but her form on turf is nothing special and might be worth taking on at the predicted odds. Marvel needs to step up from his debut run but, even so, he makes more appeal than either Final Legacy of Thornton Katie whose levels of form leave a lot to be desired even at this early stage of their careers.