14:45 Lingfield

Monday 30 December 2019

All12:0512:3513:0513:4014:1014:4515:20

Betway Novice Stakes

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 2m 4.40s

(4)

Lovely Lou Lou²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: J Ryan

6/1

Former bumper winner won first race under Flat rules at Nottingham (1m6f) before finishing third over 1m4f at Wolverhampton. Far from convinced he wants another drop in trip and penalty restrictive.

Form: 13

(6)

Passing Clouds⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: M J Attwater| OR: 48

25/1

48-rated 26-race maiden often struggles in low-grade handicaps and can't be any more fancied here.

Form: 544386

(2)

Exmoor Beast¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck| OR: 69

13/8

1L second in a 1m Chelmsford handicap off a mark of 68 last time probably good enough to go close here and no reason he won't be as effective returning to 1m2f having been second over the trip also at Chelmsford earlier.

Form: 44272

(7)

Greek Kodiac¹⁰⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: M Quinn| OR: 67

11/1

67-rated 10-race maiden gelded since last seen in September. Most of his running over 7f-1m so trip here an unknown and the biggest issue.

Form: 285657

(8)

Jolyon

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Liam Keniry| T: M Scudamore

33/1

Raven's Pass newcomer well related as a half-brother to 1m2f & 1m4f (Listed) winner Fleur Forsyte but bought for just 3,000 gns unraced in July. Likely best watched.

Form:

(1)

Lep¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: M J Attwater

14/1

Son of Nathaniel ran a really promising race on debut when fourth at 50/1 over this C&D. Yard's two-year-olds tend to need the first run so ought to go even closer here.

Form: 4

(5)

Thai Terrier

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: C & M Johnston

7/2

Newcomer by US sire Kitten's Joy a half-brother to a US maiden winner on the hallowed turf of Saratoga. Interesting one in the market for all conquering yard and may just be worth chancing today.

Form:

(3)

Mercury Dime¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 71

4/1

Stayed on into second here last time out in what was her third start and best so far. Lep was behind that day in fourth and overall she looks the one to beat on achievements to date.

Form: 752

Forecasts

Exmoor Beast (13/8), Thai Terrier (7/2), Mercury Dime (4/1), Lovely Lou Lou (6/1), Greek Kodiac (11/1), Lep (14/1), Passing Clouds (25/1), Jolyon (33/1)

In a very ordinary novice stakes based on achievements so far it may be worth siding with THAI TERRIER who is well bred and representative of a yard more than capable with newcomers. Mercury Dime finished ahead of Lep here latest and with the gap likely to close today the duo rate the biggest threats.