15:00 Southwell

Monday 26 August 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Visit attheraces.com EBF Novice Stakes

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 58.87s

(8)

Maystar¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| BF| D

9/4

Made an instant impression winning on his debut at Lingfield (5f, soft) before failing to follow up and running below his debut form under a penalty at Catterick (5f). Pedigree suggests he should be suited by Fibresand; yard respected with juveniles.

Form: 12

(7)

One Bite²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: T Eaves| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 76| D

9/1

Capitalised on gradual progression to get off the mark on his third start at Hamilton (5f, good); yet to run on any AW surface. Best forgiven his run last time (nursery debut) when failing to gain any cover; chance if he takes to the surface.

Form: 8415

(1)

Strong Power¹¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: Hayley Turner| T: George Scott| OR: 86| D

11/8

Confirmed promise of his two previous efforts when striking on his third start; odds-on favourite at Lingfield (5f, good/firm). Back from a break he beat a newcomer stablemate of Maystar; by the same sire as One Bite he should act on Fibresand.

Form: 241

(4)

Abbaleka

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby

33/1

One of four newcomers in the field (stable are 1-62 with 2yo debutants since 2014); by Equiano out of a dam who was a prolific 5f winner (including on AW). Yard not known for their juvenile runners (0-8) this year; may well need the experience.

Form:

(10)

Augustus Caesar²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara

11/2

Two runs under his belt so far (looks to be being brought along gradually) this will be his first experience on the AW. Not knocked around last time, he looks capable of better, with a pedigree (by Speightstown) that suggests this surface will suit.

Form: 53

(9)

Merchants Breath¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Josephine Gordon| T: S L Keightley

20/1

Unfancied on his debut that performance wasn't without some promise for the future; he should learn from the experience (very slow away). Yard not known for their 2yo runners though, one of the lesser lights; not certain to be suited by Fibresand.

Form: 5

(11)

Order Of Merritt¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Ryan Tate| T: Sir Mark Prescott

100/1

One of two runners from this yard he looks to be a longer-term prospect with the stable being well known for similar projects. Unsuited by the drop to this trip last time (made debut over 6f), yet to beat a rival and best watched again.

Form: 76

(3)

Royal Context

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods

20/1

Yard 1-22 with 2yo newcomers this year so this Acclamation (modest Fibresand record) gelding may well need this experience. Dam had placed form up to 1m; half-sister to smart winner up to 1m Night Chapter, only of interest if market speaks.

Form:

(5)

Triple Spear

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby

25/1

One of two newcomers from this yard (also run Abbaleka) this one's price fell markedly from foal (70,000 guineas) to yearling (7,000 guineas). Dam 5f 2yo debut winner (only ran twice); half-sister to a couple of winners; worth noting in the market.

Form:

(6)

Kitos¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: Sir Mark Prescott

100/1

Like her stablemate (Order Of Merritt) she has looked badly in need of both her starts in terms of experience; now drops to 5f for the first time (debut over 7f). Has quite a taking pedigree, needs this run for a mark, looks a nursery contender.

Form: 08

(2)

Pearl Of India

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: R Brisland

50/1

Newcomer (yard 1-16 with 2yo this year; 1-6 with debutants) by Sleeping Indian (fair record on Fibresand) out of a modest dam. There are some decent sprinters on her distaff side though so may be worth watching for any signs of ability.

Form:

Forecasts

Strong Power (11/8), Maystar (9/4), Augustus Caesar (11/2), One Bite (9/1), Royal Context (20/1), Merchants Breath (20/1), Triple Spear (25/1), Abbaleka (33/1), Pearl Of India (50/1), Kitos (100/1), Order Of Merritt (100/1)

With the entire field having no experience on this unique surface this has the feel of a problematic contest for backers. Of the three penalised runners the strongest form is held by Strong Power who beat a debutant stablemate of fellow winner Maystar at Lingfield last time and now returns from a break. Maystar himself looked a little short of speed last time and would benefit from an extra furlong. One Bite returns to novice company having had excuses for his nursery defeat last time. Those three are respected but a chance is taken with promising youngster AUGUSTUS CAESAR who being by Speightstown should be suited by this surface having looked capable of better in his two starts so far.