Bombardier Golden Beer Novice Stakes

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 1m 37.91s

(5)

Emraan⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| CD

1/1

A cheap purchase who was gelded before making a winning (and belated) debut in similar contest over C&D in December. The 4-Y-O ran on strongly that day and was well in command at the line. Has a penalty to carry but likely more to come.

Form: 1-

(1)

Plantadream²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: J R Best| D

6/4

Showed the benefit of his debut run when dropped to a mile and landing a novice stakes at Kempton last month; showed a willing attitude that time and has to be of interest here. Vulnerable to anything with a solid turn of foot though.

Form: 3-1

(3)

That's A Shame²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore

20/1

Well beaten in a bumper and two outings over hurdles before making an inauspicious start on the Flat over C&D last month. Yard highly respected but a big improvement is required this time.

Form: 6

(4)

Zhukovsky^p1⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: I Mohammed

14/1

Half-brother to a trio of winners at or around this trip but there are clear assumptions to be drawn from his first couple of starts. The step up in trip might suit but the gelding looks more of a long term prospect. (Might do better in handicaps.)

Form: 5-8

(2)

Monya^h1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| BF

10/1

Appeals on pedigree (cost 425,000 gns as a yearling, too) but been expensive to follow in two starts so far; but possible she wasn't suited by dropping to 6f last time. Might redeem herself now tried in a hood and over 1m; risk attached, though.

Form: 3-3

Forecasts

Emraan (1/1), Plantadream (6/4), Monya (10/1), Zhukovsky (14/1), That's A Shame (20/1)

Very possible the fillies allowance and step up to a mile will coax a bold effort from Monya, who is having her third start since being introduced on Tapeta in mid December. The switch to Polytrack and step up to a mile could bring some improvement and the filly is worth considering if there is an abundance of support for her once again (sent off as the favourite in both previous races). However, EMRAAN rates as better value and for a punt and could easily be up to shouldering a penalty in this company; he is taken to follow up his C&D win from last time out. Plantadreamalso has a penalty to carry but he might already need a sterner test of stamina.