Betway Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 17:02 | Winning time: 2m 31.35s

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(2)

Al Qaqaa¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 79

4/7

Best effort in novice races when stepped up to 1m3½f and finishing ¾L third of 6 to On Guard at Yarmouth last time. Stiffer test at this trip will suit, and he can do better again, so shortlisted.

Form: 42-3

(4)

Moomba¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: Mrs A J Perrett

10/3

Upped to 1¼m, and improved markedly on debut despite 50/1 SP when 1¾L third of 7 to Al Madhar at Newbury last time. Top rider booked now, and he holds fair claims on that form, with more to come.

Form: 8-3

(3)

Speech Room¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: B J Meehan

6/1

75,000 gns yearling who was unfancied and not knocked about after a slowish start, but offered something to work on when fifth of 11 to Fiesta de Vega in an extended 1¼m maiden at Haydock. Could improve markedly on that, and folly to ignore.

Form: 5

(5)

Calm Down²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: R M Beckett

40/1

Daughter of Intello who cost €67,000, but she didn't offer a huge amount when down the field on racecourse bow over C&D three weeks ago. Can do better, but others more convincing.

Form: 7

(1)

Table Mountain¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding

14/1

Phoenix Reach filly who was very easy to back on debut at Chelmsford in November an duly finished well held. Showed much more at Newbury on return, but is strictly held by Moomba on that running.

Form: 0-4

Forecasts

Al Qaqaa (4/7), Moomba (10/3), Speech Room (6/1), Table Mountain (14/1), Calm Down (40/1)

A chance can be given to most of these, but there may be a bit of value in siding with SPEECH ROOM. He has a little to find on form, but shaped well under an educational ride at Haydock on his belated debut. He looks sure to improve markedly, and that could see him improve past those with more experience. Al Qaqaa is arguably the form pick, although Moomba is a half-brother to the same connections' Lavenders Blue, and shaped with lots of promise at Newbury last time. He holds Table Mountain on that run, and is a player with Ryan Moore booked.