12:40 Salisbury

Sunday 9 August 2020

All12:4013:1013:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

AJN Steelstock Kentford British EBF Novice Stakes

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 1m 13.36s

(3)

Never Say When⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| D

7/2

No Nay Never colt bought for 325,000 gns as a yearling. Just lasted home on debut at Kempton in June, and while that form is not outstanding, his yard's youngster's usually improve markedly for experience.

Form: 1

(6)

Gosnay Gold

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: W R Muir

28/1

First foal of a French 1m1f-1m3f winner. Sales prices rose dramatically to 60,000 gns earlier this year. Yard 4-14 with 2-y-o debutants in last two years, including with the smart Pyledriver, who scored at 50/1 on debut here last year.

Form:

(8)

Grand Scheme

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

22/1

Territories half-brother to smart 1¼m-2m winner Antiquarium and 1¼m winner Poet's Star out of a winning half-sister to very smart 1¼m-1¾m winner Scott's View. Yard does well here, but just 1-40 with debutants at the track in last five years.

Form:

(2)

Headshot²²

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

50/1

Awtaad half-brother to high-class miler Zaaki, but he has shown very little in two starts to date, and of more interest in nurseries after another run.

Form: 00

(1)

Marlay Park

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon

25/1

Cable Bay half-brother to 2-y-o 6f winner Solemn Pledge, out of an unraced half-sister to useful 1½m winner Muntasir. One of three newcomers from his powerful yard here, and he looks most likely of the trio to be suited by the trip. Market useful.

Form:

(7)

Minzaal¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows

1/2

Son of Mehmas who made his debut in a traditionally warm 6f Ascot maiden, and very much caught the eye when 1½L fourth of 9 to Mohawk King having been set a lot to do. Almost sure to progress, and has leading claims.

Form: 4

(5)

Round Six

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

12/1

Buratino half-brother to useful 2-y-o 6f winner Last Opportunity, out of a maiden half-sister to smart 6f/7f winner The Cheka. Yard 3-22 with juvenile debutants here in recent years, and market not always a guide to performance.

Form:

(10)

Vitalline

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: B R Millman

80/1

Due Diligence half-brother to useful Italian winners Mujas (7f/1m) and Touche Eclatante (1m/1m1f), out of an Italian 2-y-o 5f/6f winner. Some appeal on pedigree, but yard 0-64 with 2-y-o newcomers in recent years, and sure to be better for the run.

Form:

(9)

Yuan Prince³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox

33/1

By Hot Streak out of a winning sister to Prix de L'Abbaye winner Move In Time. Inexperience has held him back quite badly in two starts so far, and he's another who will be better off when qualified for handicaps.

Form: 90

(4)

Fashion

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon

12/1

By Lope de Vega, and the first foal of a winning half-sister to smart 1¼m winners Michelangelo and Private Secretary. One of four runners in the race representing the track's leading trainer, so wise to heed market clues.

Form:

Forecasts

Minzaal (1/2), Never Say When (7/2), Round Six (12/1), Fashion (12/1), Grand Scheme (22/1), Marlay Park (25/1), Gosnay Gold (28/1), Yuan Prince (33/1), Headshot (50/1), Vitalline (80/1)

Richard Hannon is well represented numerically, but the stable's runners are much more likely to need a run here than was once the case, and they are best watched unless one attracts notable support. Much more appealing is MINZAAL, who was most eye-catching in a decent maiden at Ascot, and that debut experience will not be lost on him. Never Say When could be anchored by a penalty after scrambling home on debut, but should improve, and ought to be on the premises, while Round Six appeals most of the newcomers.