14:20 Salisbury

Thursday 15 August 2019

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5517:30

M J Church Novice Stakes

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 1m 31.55s

(6)

Rifft²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: R Kingscote| T: Mrs L Richards

66/1

Belatedly debuted with a remote 11th of 12 in March and four months later he was a never dangerous seventh of 11 at Chelmsford. Makes no appeal.

Form: 07

(7)

Vipin¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Georgia Cox⁽³⁾| T: W R Muir

20/1

Unraced as a three-year-old whose price fell from €20,000 as a yearling to just 2,500 gns at the sales last summer. Did not get the smoothest of runs on debut but well beaten fifth of eight at Lingfield evidence he is up against it.

Form: 75

(5)

Alrajaa³³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 83

8/15

Well-related Dubawi colt beaten just ½L by Royal Meeting who won a Group One beating dual Guineas heroine Hermosa next time out when last seen in September. Long layoff since and been gelded but that form exceptional.

Form: 452-

(9)

Aluqair^h²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 83

7/4

Placed in three 7f contests this season with ½L defeat at Doncaster the closest he's gone yet. Has comfortably the best form this season and will take full advantage of Alrajaa isn't quite 100 per cent on return.

Form: 45-232

(2)

Four Feet⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Emma Taff⁽⁷⁾| T: H Candy

20/1

Twice raced son of Harbour Watch made no obvious step up on debut 10th of 12 at Newbury when ninth of 13 at Kempton. Trainer's fine record at this course about the only positive to his chance.

Form: 09

(4)

Knightfall¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S Donohoe| T: D R Lanigan

14/1

Homebred by Nathaniel out of 6f winning mare was slowly away and never able to land a blow on debut at Newmarket over 7f beaten 23L and although beaten less than half of that since at Chelmsford that eighth of 12 only very moderate.

Form: 88

(3)

Lord Howard²⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: George Bass⁽⁷⁾| T: M R Channon

25/1

Havana Gold gelding tailed off and beaten over 30L on debut over 1m½f last November. Can only hope for better now.

Form: 0-

(8)

Auntie June

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: R Brotherton

66/1

First foal of a 6f-7f winner (including at two), who is half-sister to Listed placed 5f 2yo Queen's Victory. The fact that we didn't see her as a juvenile is therefore a bit of a concern. Watch on debut.

Form:

(1)

Miss Ditsy

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: M J Attwater

33/1

Newcomer by Most Improved is a half-sister to two ordinary winners from 7f-1m1f. Best watched on debut based on stable's record with such sorts.

Form:

Forecasts

Alrajaa (8/15), Aluqair (7/4), Knightfall (14/1), Vipin (20/1), Four Feet (20/1), Lord Howard (25/1), Miss Ditsy (33/1), Rifft (66/1), Auntie June (66/1)

This essentially looks a match between ALRAJAA and Aluqair with preference for John Gosden's charge even though this is his first race in 330 days. His latest ½L second to a Group One scorer is persuasive enough to chance him despite the absence. Aluqair has been knocking on the door and surely will soon find it opening; it almost certainly will if the selection returns with a substandard effort. The others look vastly inferior but Vipin can prove best of them.