Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Novice Stakes

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 2m 12.66s

(3)

Da Vinci¹⁴

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

6/4

40,000gns yearling (by Golden Horn); displayed a most determined attitude when scoring on debut (16-1) at Chelmsford (1m2f) a fortnight ago, beating the John Gosden-trained Pitcher's Point by a neck; penalised accordingly.

Form: 1

(6)

Papa Power²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| D

8/13

190,000gns yearling (by Nathaniel); took a sizeable step forward from his debut when making all to justify market support (5-4f) in a Chelmsford maiden (1m2f) three weeks ago; Silvestre De Sousa travels north for the ride.

Form: 51

(1)

Aleydali

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Phil Dennis| T: K Scott

100/1

Resold as a yearling for €10,000; ninth foal from an unraced dam; closely related to the 1m4f AW winner Pipes Of Peace; one for the future rather than the present; others preferred.

Form:

(2)

Faramman^b1⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden

9/1

50,000gns yearling (by Fastnet Rock); 8-1, dwelt and always behind when finishing last of 12 on debut at Kempton (1m) in early December; off since (for 84 days); reappears in newly applied headgear; trainer is 42-114 (37%) at Newcastle.

Form: 0-

(4)

Ontheradar¹⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: Ronald Thompson| OR: 43

250/1

Made the frame (beaten 8¼L) on the Fibresand at Southwell (1m) on his final juvenile start; comfortably out of his depth against this calibre of opponent; look elsewhere with confidence.

Form: 9803-

Non-Runners

(5)

Chenille¹²

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: L A Mullaney J: Cam Hardie

Forecasts

Papa Power (8/13), Da Vinci (6/4), Faramman (9/1), Chenille (50/1), Aleydali (100/1), Ontheradar (250/1)

John Gosden has an excellent record on the Tapeta at Newcastle (42-114; 37%) and it's possible that Faramman will prove a totally different horse now fitted with blinkers and upped-in-trip. Nevertheless, the form book indicates this race is a straight match between the recent Chelmsford scorers Papa Power and DA VINCI. Silvestre De Sousa travels north for the ride on the former (for retainer King Power Racing Co Ltd) and there's undoubtedly plenty to like about his mount (a half-brother to the 6f-1m winner Rufus King). However, the determined attitude shown by the Mark Johnston-trainer runner on debut (form respectable) serves to tip the scales narrowly in his favour.