Leicester Racecourse Annual Badges On Sale Now Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 2m 37.35s

(1)

Juan Bermudez¹⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

16/5

Nathaniel colt who was all the wiser with a debut run behind him when showing a willing attitude to fend off several challengers in a 1m Newmarket novice last autumn. Up significantly in trip. Definitely more to come.

Form: 81-

(6)

Nahanni^b1⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| D

2/1

Frankel colt who confirmed the promise of his Kempton debut second when going one better at the same venue 4 weeks later. A bit more will likely be required now switching to the grass but he's open to further progress. Blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Form: 21

(5)

Baltic Bird

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽⁷⁾| T: J & T Gosden

13/2

Frankel half-brother to useful 1¼m-12.5f winner Baltic Gold. Dam winner up to 1½m (Prix Vermeille and 2-y-o 1m winner). Very interesting to see how this newcomer compares in the betting to stablemate March Moon.

Form:

(2)

Chairman²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Meade

6/1

Offered plenty to work on when chasing home a useful sort on his 9.5f Wolverhampton debut 3 weeks ago. Likely improver.

Form: 2

(3)

Jennys Jack Daniel³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: M Appleby

100/1

Modest form in 2 AW starts in February. Surely booked for another struggle in this line-up.

Form: 45

(4)

March Moon¹⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden

3/1

Left debut well behind when close third on Newcastle's AW in November. Highly likely this well-bred colt from a top yard has more to offer.

Form: 83-

Forecasts

Nahanni (2/1), March Moon (3/1), Juan Bermudez (16/5), Chairman (6/1), Baltic Bird (13/2), Jennys Jack Daniel (100/1)

An interesting novice. There was plenty to like about the way JUAN BERMUDEZ kept on finding to win at Newmarket last autumn so he may be capable of defying a penalty. The Gosden stable won this last year so March Moon is put as the main danger ahead of Godolphin's Nahanni.