20:05 Southwell

Wednesday 19 January 2022

All16:3517:0517:3518:0518:3519:0519:3520:05

Betway Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 20:05 | Winning time: 1m 15.44s

(7)

Ex Gratia³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

3/1

9/2, second of 9 in maiden at Kempton (6f) on debut 31 days ago. Well-bred filly open to improvement, so likely to take a hand in this thin race.

Form: 2-

(5)

Crypto Quest¹¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: K A Ryan

9/2

Twice-raced maiden. 66/1, second of 4 in maiden at Pontefract (6f, good). Off 118 days. Claims if he can take another step forward.

Form: 02-

(8)

Flame Talon

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: D O'Meara

11/1

Profitable colt. Half-brother to several winners, including very smart 6f-1m winner Rewarding Hero and smart 7f-8.5f winner Dance And Dance. Notable newcomer.

Form:

(6)

Olympic Eagle⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Fahy| T: C G Cox| OR: 74| BF

5/4

Lightly-raced maiden. 9/4, creditable fourth of 11 in nursery at Kempton (6f) 49 days ago, racing closer to pace than ideal. Makes tapeta debut. Should take all the beating.

Form: 38434-

(2)

Twilight Revenge³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Charlie Bennett| T: M D I Usher

28/1

Twice-raced maiden. Seventh of 12 in maiden (5/1) at Kempton (6f) 31 days ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 47-

(3)

Waverley Star¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: D Swift| T: A D Brown

80/1

Twice-raced maiden. Last of 4 in minor event at Newcastle (7.1f, 150/1) 17 days ago. Hard to make a serious case for.

Form: 9-4

(1)

Grand Cru Gaga²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Mohammed Tabti⁽⁷⁾| T: P & O Cole

7/1

Once-raced maiden. 16/1, last of 9 in minor event at Haydock (6f, good to firm) on debut. Off 7 months. Needs to improve markedly.

Form: 9-

(4)

Lochside Lass¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S H James| T: A Keatley

40/1

Twice-raced maiden. 50/1, fourth of 13 in minor event at Lingfield (7f, AW) 19 days ago. Looks more of a handicap type.

Form: 44-

Forecasts

Olympic Eagle (5/4), Ex Gratia (3/1), Crypto Quest (9/2), Grand Cru Gaga (7/1), Flame Talon (11/1), Twilight Revenge (28/1), Lochside Lass (40/1), Waverley Star (80/1)

OLYMPIC EAGLE has run well in AW nurseries the last twice and connections appear to have found a good opportunity for him to open his account in a weak race. Ex Gratia, who is open to improvement, could pose a threat, while Flame Talon is quite well bred, and therefore well worth a market check on debut.