15:00 Ripon

Saturday 29 April 2023

All14:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:1517:50

Hugh Martin Memorial EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 11.75s

(6)

Bleak²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| BF

13/8

Half-brother to a couple of winners and matched form of his promising debut effort when third in 12-runner Nottingham maiden (8.3f, heavy) 24 days ago, effort when not clear run over 2f out. Remains with potential moving forward and he's a player for leading stable.

Form: 53

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(7)

Natzor¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| BF

8/1

Almanzor colt who produced a promising first effort when third in an 11-runner Newcastle novice (1m) in March. Possibly unsuited by testing ground when well held at Yarmouth (10f) 2 weeks ago but he's not out of things judged on his debut form.

Form: 38

(5)

Victoria County¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: A Watson

9/2

Never better than midfield on debut at Newcastle (7f) in October but showed more on back of being gelded/6 months off when third in 15-runner Yarmouth novice (10f, heavy) 2 weeks ago. Possible he can build on that again.

Form: 8-3

(4)

Golden Firefly²⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler

50/1

Once-raced gelding. Last of 11 in novice event (33/1) at Thirsk (7f, good) on debut back in August, hanging left over 2f out and always behind. Low-grade handicaps entitled to be more his bag moving forward this term.

Form: 0-

(2)

Three Yorkshiremen^p1¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| BF

7/4

Lightly-raced maiden. Confirmed he retains his ability when chasing home a potentially useful sort on return at Catterick (7f, heavy) 17 days ago, headway over 1f out and running on. Cheekpieces on 1st time and longer trip could unlock some progress.

Form: 30344-2

(3)

Lunar Bird¹⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: D M Simcock

18/1

Cracksman filly. Dam 1m-1¼m winner. 80/1, looked a likely longer-term project when tenth in 12-runner novice event on debut at Kempton (1m) in November. This ought to reveal more.

Form: 0-

(1)

The Malton Mauler¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: A Keatley

33/1

Massaat gelding showed more than on sole start at 2 yrs when sixth of 13 in maiden at Kempton (7f) 10 days ago, fading final 1f. Handicaps entitled to be more his bag on the back of this.

Form: 7-6

Forecasts

Bleak (13/8), Three Yorkshiremen (7/4), Victoria County (9/2), Natzor (8/1), Lunar Bird (18/1), The Malton Mauler (33/1), Golden Firefly (50/1)

THREE YORKSHIREMEN produced a solid comeback run when chasing home a potentially useful sort at Catterick a couple of weeks ago and, with the longer trip worth exploring, he could be up to going one place better equipped with first-time cheekpieces. Bleak remains with potential on the back of just 2 starts and is feared most ahead of Natzor.