17:15 Newcastle

Friday 31 January 2020

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Novice Stakes

Off time: 17:16 | Winning time: 1m 41.06s

(3)

Al Maysan²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: C Appleby| D

1/5

Dubawi colt; brother to the German Listed winner Nashirah (6f-7f); finished strongly from off the pace (after a slow start) to beat the consistent Rideson on debut at Chelmsford (1m) four weeks ago; is penalised accordingly.

Form: 1

(7)

Beechwood Jim Bob²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston

6/1

Kept on for pressure (after leading) to finish 3L fourth to London Arch over C&D three weeks ago; that was a reasonable second attempt, but undoubtedly he'll need to step forward in order to trouble Al Maysan.

Form: 3-4

(1)

Golden Sandbanks²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jamie Gormley| T: I Jardine

16/1

Twice-raced Havana Gold colt; somewhat of a eye-catcher (kept on for hands and heels riding after being briefly checked) when fifth of nine to Union over 7f here 23 days ago; tonight's extra yardage looks perfect (half-brother to Penhill).

Form: 0-5

(6)

Mick²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond

50/1

Makfi gelding (€4,000 yearling); drops back in trip after finishing fifth of seven (40-1) on debut at Wolverhampton (1m4f) three weeks ago; others would appear to hold more obvious claims.

Form: 5

(8)

Famous Minx¹⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: R Fell & S Murray

100/1

With Peter Maher when finishing last of 14 on debut (66-1) in a heavy ground 1m fillies maiden at Gowran Park in mid-October; has since joined Roger Fell; half-sister to the ex-Hugo Palmer-trained Newcastle winner Cool Team (7f-1m).

Form: 0-

(5)

Queen Of Camelot

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: G Lee| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

10/1

Camelot filly; fourth foal; sister to the 1m4f winner Theatro; half-sister to both Lord Yeats (1m4f Listed/2m hurdle) and Kilowatt (1m4f); holds some high profile future entries; market helpful on debut (declared a NR at Doncaster (17/08/19)).

Form:

Non-Runners

(4)

Dande

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: Phillip Makin J: Shane Gray

(2)

Historical²⁸

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: K A Ryan J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Al Maysan (1/5), Beechwood Jim Bob (6/1), Queen Of Camelot (10/1), Golden Sandbanks (16/1), Historical (16/1), Dande (25/1), Mick (50/1), Famous Minx (100/1)

AL MAYSAN very much learned on the job when making a winning debut at Chelmsford (1m) four weeks ago (beat the fair yardstick Rideson by half-a-length). Despite carrying the incurred 7lb penalty he rates as difficult to oppose with the AW champion jockey elect Ben Curtis in the saddle. On the assumption that all eight declared runners stand their ground, a possible each-way angle is offered by Golden Sandbanks who caught the eye of a number of seasoned race-readers when keeping on for hands and heels riding (briefly checked) here (7f) earlier this month.