17:05 Salisbury

Saturday 11 July 2020

All16:3517:0517:3518:1018:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

EBF Stallions Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 17:09 | Winning time: 1m 28.72s

(6)

First Prophet²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| D

5/1

Does carry an awkward head carriage but showed he has ability when making winning debut at Newbury (7f) last month. Not as good in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot since but this is an easier task.

Form: 18

(9)

Fountain Cross¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon

5/1

Muhaarar colt. Shaped with great promise on his debut then backed that up with rallying victory in 6f Haydock novice (good) in late June. Has penalty for that but is respected.

Form: 21

(14)

Archibar²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S Hitchcott| T: R Hannon

50/1

Homebred by Archipenko. Quietly fancied but ultimately disappointed on debut when 14L sixth at Wolverhampton (6f) last month. Not the obvious choice of the yard in this.

Form: 6

(7)

Auriferous

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding

14/1

65,000 gns yearling. First foal out of 1m2f winning dam, who was a half-sister to 1m Group 2 winner Albert Hall and French Listed winner (6f) Barsine. Nice pedigree and notable if there is market support on debut.

Form:

(2)

Dillydingdillydong

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: R Hannon

6/1

Fetched 110,000 gns as a yearling. Dam was a winner over 1m4f. Half-brother to 1m winner Tell and closely related to Listed winners Arctic Gyr (1m) and Festivale (1m). Bred to be a nice sort. Market check required.

Form:

(12)

Downsman

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle

200/1

14,000 gns yearling. Half-brother to 1m2f winner Clayton Hall and dual-purpose performer Glorvina (1m-2m1f). Not the most taking pedigree however and yard haven't had a winner since resumption. Best watched.

Form:

(10)

Francesco Guardi

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: J Ferguson

9/1

200,000 gns yearling purchase by Frankel. Dam was stakes placed in the US between 1m1f-1m3f, and is a half-sister to dual Arc winner Treve. Hails from family of high-class Trillion so is bred to be a smart prospect. Shortlisted.

Form:

(5)

Headshot

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Fahy| T: R Hannon

28/1

From the first crop of Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Awtaad. Half-brother to classy Group race performer Zaaki. Has an interesting profile and is one of four in the race for his trainer.

Form:

(4)

Lost In Space¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: J & T Gosden

5/2

Related to some smart types at a range of distances and ran well enough on debut when 3L fourth in 6f Yarmouth novice. Yard's tend to come on for their efforts so cannot be discounted.

Form: 4

(11)

Mark Of Respect

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: J G Portman

33/1

14,000 gns purchase. Markaz colt. Closely related to 6f winner Born To Finish and 6f juvenile winner Arden Pearl. Dam was a winner up to 1m. Others have more appealing pedigrees on paper.

Form:

(1)

Masqool

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor

11/2

Invincible Spirit colt who is bred to be smart. Brother to 5f winner Atyaaf and closely related to Group 3 juvenile winner Maqaasid. Hails from the family of 1000 Guineas winner Ghanaati and is a taking newcomer in this.

Form:

(13)

Menai Bridge⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Liam Keniry| T: C Hills

40/1

No show on debut start last month and didn't progress as hoped when 8L fourth in 7f Chepstow maiden over a week ago. Drops back 6f but vulnerable to others.

Form: 64

Non-Runners

(3)

Full Marks

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: Sir Mark Prescott J: Non Runner

(8)

Waterloo Sunset⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: D J Coakley J: T P O'Shea

Forecasts

Lost In Space (5/2), Fountain Cross (5/1), First Prophet (5/1), Masqool (11/2), Dillydingdillydong (6/1), Francesco Guardi (9/1), Auriferous (14/1), Full Marks (25/1), Headshot (28/1), Mark Of Respect (33/1), Menai Bridge (40/1), Archibar (50/1), Waterloo Sunset (50/1), Downsman (200/1)

A race which already throws some smart juvenile form against some newcomers, First Prophet arguably sets the form standard in this and had viable excuses when flopping at Royal Ascot. If he brings his 'A' game, he should prove tough to beat. The likes of the regally-bred Masqool and Auriferious are interesting newcomers for yards who are currently in an extended purple patch, but it may be worth taking a chance with FRANCESCO GAURDI. The expensive purchase has a blue-blood pedigree being so closely related to wonder filly Treve and should be cherry ripe for a trainer who is currently operating at a 38% strike rate.