17:30 Newcastle

Thursday 23 January 2020

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Novice Stakes

Off time: 17:32 | Winning time: 1m 29.50s

(1)

Al Hurr

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Quinn| T: M Botti

3/1

First foal from the UAE Oaks-placed Mensoora (a 6f-7f juvenile scorer in South Africa); has been found a fairly modest novice contest in which to make his racecourse debut; of major interest (especially if the market vibes are positive).

Form:

(9)

Almqvist¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston

8/1

Kingman colt; tenth foal; closely related to the 1m-1m4f AW winner Alma Linda; weakened after forcing the pace on debut at Southwell (7f); is likely to have taken plenty on board from that initial experience; can do better.

Form: 7

(2)

Arbiter⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 72

11/8

Kingman colt; hasn't set the world alight in three starts to date (6f-7f); raced keenly early on and ultimately weakened when fourth to Sky Commander at Kempton (7f maiden) seven weeks ago; trainer has a 38% strike-rate at Newcastle (AW).

Form: 644-

(7)

Celestial Wood¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: K Dalgleish

11/1

100-1 when finishing ninth of 13 to a stablemate of Arbiter on debut here (1m) in mid-December; has fared little better dropped back in trip (to 6f) at Wolverhampton since.

Form: 9-5

(5)

Jorgie¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jamie Gormley| T: I Jardine

25/1

100-1 when finishing in the mid-division on debut here (6f) in December; failed to progress and only seventh of nine (28-1) to Union over 7f here subsequently.

Form: 7-7

(8)

Brodick³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke

16/1

Third foal from a half-sister to a 7f Group 3 juvenile winner (Sanus Per Aquam); was slowly into stride and never nearer when eighth of 12 to Amazing News on Wolverhampton (7f) debut.

Form: 8-

(6)

Full Secret²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey

10/1

Cost 50,000gns as a yearling; half-sister to five winners, including Danehill Kodiac (1m-1m4f); unable to build upon a mildly encouraging Wolverhampton (7f) debut when upped-in-trip at Chelmsford (1m); stablemate of Savage Beauty.

Form: 4-8

(4)

Savage Beauty⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey

11/1

Cost £20,000 as a juvenile; made the frame on debut at Catterick (7f fillies' novice, soft) in October; very low-key (behind Jorgie) over 6f here in early December; stablemate of Full Secret.

Form: 39-

Non-Runners

(3)

Bella Believe

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: J Ward J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Arbiter (11/8), Al Hurr (3/1), Almqvist (8/1), Full Secret (10/1), Savage Beauty (11/1), Celestial Wood (11/1), Brodick (16/1), Jorgie (25/1), Bella Believe (100/1)

Perfectly fair to say that this race lacks a standout contender, although on balance the so far disappointing Kingman colt Arbiter just about sets the form standard. It's doubtless that he'll have his fair share of supporters with his trainer John Gosden operating a 38% strike-rate (42-112) on the AW at Newcastle. However, one should be prepared to take a chance on the Marco Botti-trained debutant AL HURR who ticks plenty of boxes on pedigree in a winnable contest.