18:00 Chelmsford City

Saturday 22 February 2020

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Good Friday Spring Country Fair Fillies' Novice Stakes

Off time: 18:02 | Winning time: 1m 26.02s

(5)

Cuckoo Clock¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston

8/1

Ran respectably in what admittedly was not the strongest of events on debut at Lingfield (6f). Step up in trip could be the key to improvement this time, and no surprise to see her in the shake-up again.

Form: 2

(8)

Arafi

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: R Hannon

6/1

Half-sister to a Greek winner. Dam a 5f juvenile winning half-sister to useful 7f-1m1f winner Frontier Fighter. Check the market for clues about this filly, who represents a team that has a decent record with newcomers.

Form:

(2)

Dame Joan²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: E Walker

6/1

Not devoid of ability based on her debut fifth when a 10-1 chance in a Kempton fillies' novice event (1m) recently. Has a bit to do on the bare form of that, but no surprise to see a more competitive effort.

Form: 5

(9)

Escape To Oz²⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: A Carson

50/1

40-1 and never really got competitive when 12L seventh of eight on debut at Brighton (5½f) last April. Can only watch on her return to the track.

Form: 7-

(6)

Krafla¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Hayley Turner| T: R M H Cowell

25/1

Improved for her debut which was here over 7f, when sixth at Wolverhampton (6f) last time. Now goes back up in trip, but not seen enough yet to suggest this will be her day.

Form: 46

(7)

Lady De Vega^h1

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: M Botti

10/1

42,000gns yearling. Half-sister to three winners, including one on AW (5f). Hood goes on for this debut run, and probably worth a market check to gauge any confidence.

Form:

(4)

Lily Like²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

16/1

Has shown a bit of ability at a minor level in both starts (6f/7f). Had excuses due to traffic problems last time, but needs to pull out more nonetheless if she is to succeed this time, now up again in trip.

Form: 6-7

(3)

She's On The Edge¹⁰⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: William Carson| T: A Carson

33/1

50-1, dwelt and ran green when 9L eighth of 13 on debut here over 6f in November. That experience and this step up in trip should help, but likely to have to wait for other days.

Form: 8-

(1)

Stormy Mountain³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Spencer| T: C Appleby| BF

4/6

Odds-on favourite on her debut at Kempton (7f) last month, when a close second. That form has since been bolstered, and it would be no surprise to see her go one better this time.

Form: 2

Forecasts

Stormy Mountain (4/6), Arafi (6/1), Dame Joan (6/1), Cuckoo Clock (8/1), Lady De Vega (10/1), Lily Like (16/1), Krafla (25/1), She's On The Edge (33/1), Escape To Oz (50/1)

Cuckoo Clock looks booked for another good run here, while Lily Like and Dame Joan are others who should produce better. However, STORMY MOUNTAIN looks the pick, despite her odds-on debut defeat, and she can gain compensation. Arafi looks the more interesting of the newcomers and merits a market check.