13:35 Ascot

Saturday 7 September 2019

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Italian Tourist Board British EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 1m 29.28s

(2)

Cherokee Trail

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden

7/2

Dam won over 7f and finished third in the 1,000 Guineas. Her first two foals yet to achieve anything of note but with a leading yard who've won this race twice since 2012. On the shortlist.

Form:

(7)

Hlaitan

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Watson| T: H Palmer

8/1

Son of Iffraaj who was 190,000gns. His dam was a moderate maiden but she is a half-sister to Group 2 winners Bonfire and Joviality. Stable in good form and have a 28% strike rate with two-year-olds this term. Market vibes noteworthy.

Form:

(4)

Macho Boy

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: M Dwyer| T: B J Meehan

16/1

Dam won over 6f/7f and is related to decent sprinter Aeolus (Group 3). Sire is a stamina influence, however, and this €55,000 purchase may want further in time. Yard's newcomers also tend to come on for the run.

Form:

(8)

Ropey Guest¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 99

5/4

Six runs so far but has been highly tried of late. He finished third over C&D in a Listed event before filling the same spot in the Acomb Stakes (Group 3) at York (7f, good to firm) last time. Sets the standard back in this company.

Form: 746433

(1)

Thrill Seeker

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas

4/1

Expensive purchase at 600,000 gns. From a decent family; her dam won over 1m2f/1m3f in France including at Listed level and is a half-sister to Breeders' Cup Turf winner Red Rocks. Another leading yard and one to consider.

Form:

(5)

What An Angel⁵⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon

25/1

Didn't beat a rival at Sandown (7f, good to firm) on debut but improved that when mid-division at Newbury (7f, good to soft) seven weeks ago. Improvement required to win here and eligible for handicaps after this outing.

Form: 67

(9)

Zegalo

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Charlie Bennett| T: R Varian

16/1

By Zoffany, his dam was unraced but is related to Group 1 winner Society Rock. Top yard who have plenty of winning two-year-olds but the market is generally a good guide as to expectations.

Form:

(10)

Ruby Power²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon

40/1

Keen when down the field on debut at Goodwood (7f, good) but showed a bit more when fifth at Salisbury (6f, good to soft) 24 days ago. More needed on her bare form and would be a surprise winner.

Form: 05

Non-Runners

(3)

Business

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: M Meade J: Non Runner

(6)

Zafeer³¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: M Botti J: Daniel Muscutt

Forecasts

Ropey Guest (5/4), Cherokee Trail (7/2), Thrill Seeker (4/1), Business (11/2), Hlaitan (8/1), Zafeer (8/1), Zegalo (16/1), Macho Boy (16/1), What An Angel (25/1), Ruby Power (40/1)

An interesting opener with some leading yards represented by some well-bred newcomers but the last four runs of ROPEY GUEST in pattern company set a very high standard for the others to beat. John Gosden has won this race twice in recent years with newcomers and so Cherokee Trail is respected whilst Zafeer would've gone close on debut with a better start and should be more streetwise now.