15:30 Salisbury

Sunday 25 April 2021

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

Whitsbury Manor Stud Novice Stakes (Div 2)

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 1m 27.41s

(4)

Serena's Queen¹²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 75

10/11

Won 7-runner minor event at Chelmsford City (8f, 4/1), showing a good attitude to fend off the favourite and edging ahead last ½f. Off 129 days. Open to further improvement.

Form: 41-

(1)

Afta Party¹⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: T Ward

25/1

Once-raced maiden. 66/1, offered little when eighth of 11 in minor event at Wolverhampton (8.6f) on debut. Off 141 days.

Form: 8-

(2)

Mercian Hymn

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: Sir M Todd

9/1

13,000 gns yearling, £52,000 2-y-o, Siyouni gelding. Half-brother to 3 winners, including useful 2-y-o 7f winner Astronomy's Choice and 2m winner Lordofthehorizon.

Form:

(7)

Ower Starlight

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon

16/1

Cityscape colt. Dam 2-y-o 5f winner who stayed easy 1m. Trainer's newcomers demand respect.

Form:

(6)

Wild Rhythm

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: S bin Suroor

7/2

Dubawi colt. Dam, Brazilian 7f-1½m (Group 2) winner (including at 2 yrs), half-sister to 1½m winner Karol King. One for shortlist on debut given connections.

Form:

(9)

Big Little Lie¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne

125/1

Twice-raced maiden. 200/1, well held after 4 months off when tenth of 12 in minor event at Kempton (7f) 11 days ago, slowly away.

Form: 9-0

(8)

Broadway Diva¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight

14/1

Twice-raced maiden. 5/1, left debut form well behind when second of 6 in minor event at Chelmsford City (7f). Off 169 days. Another step forward required.

Form: 92-

(3)

Lunar Gold

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: George Buckell⁽³⁾| T: B J Meehan

25/1

Havana Gold filly. Half-sister to 3 winners, including 11f/11.6f winner Cubswin and 1½m winner Cinnabar.

Form:

(5)

Mikasa

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: S W Kelly| T: Rae Guest

28/1

Exceed And Excel filly. Dam, 6f winner (runner-up in Ayr Gold Cup), sister to useful sprinter Peace Seeker.

Form:

(10)

Sunset Memory³²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: M Dwyer| T: W Muir & C Grassick

14/1

4/1, shaped better than the result when fifth of 9 in maiden at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) on debut, not knocked about. Off 10 months. First run for yard after leaving Charlie Appleby.

Form: 5-

Forecasts

Serena's Queen (10/11), Wild Rhythm (7/2), Mercian Hymn (9/1), Sunset Memory (14/1), Broadway Diva (14/1), Ower Starlight (16/1), Lunar Gold (25/1), Afta Party (25/1), Mikasa (28/1), Big Little Lie (125/1)

A few in with chances here but well-bred WILD RHYTHM gets the vote to make a winning debut for leading connections. Serena's Queen is sure to have her best days ahead and could give the selection most to think about having got off the mark on her second start at Chelmsford in December, ahead of Broadway Diva and Ower Starlight.