16:10 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 25 April 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Stephen Wallis Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 55.34s

(6)

Dotties Star²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan

40/1

Fair form in a trio of bumpers, third of 9 at Fontwell (13.7f) 21 days ago. Tough ask conceding plenty of weight on Flat debut.

Form:

(7)

Kadovar^t¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 78

2/1

Left reappearance well behind when a very good third of 8 in a handicap at Nottingham a fortnight ago. That is just about the best form on offer.

Form: 926-83

(3)

Merry Minister

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker

8/1

Churchill gelding. Half-brother to ungenuine 1¼m winner Herodotus and useful winner up to 7f Bell Shot. Dam 1m winner who stayed 10.5f.

Form:

(1)

Hey Lyla¹³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: C Johnston| OR: 81

4/1

Fairly useful filly. 5/1, good third of 7 in nursery at Kempton (7f). Off 139 days. Up in trip and a big player at this level if returning in that form.

Form: 822323-

(2)

Jalapa²⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett

11/8

Well-bred filly who showed plenty to work on when third of 6 in maiden at Newmarket (7f, good to firm, 10/3) on debut. Off 8 months. Up in trip and sure to improve.

Form: 3-

(5)

La Espanola¹³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Egan| T: D Menuisier

33/1

Showed a bit more than on debut when sixth of 12 in novice event at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in December. Looks one for handicaps.

Form: 06-

Non-Runners

(4)

Two Plus Two

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: E De Giles J: P Cosgrave

Forecasts

Jalapa (11/8), Kadovar (2/1), Hey Lyla (4/1), Merry Minister (8/1), La Espanola (33/1), Dotties Star (40/1), Two Plus Two (50/1)

JALAPA is from an excellent family and displayed a lot more ability than her debut rating suggests at Newmarket last summer. Sure to do a lot better as a 3-y-o, she's taken to improve past the standard-setting pair Kadovar and Hey Lyla.