18:50 Doncaster

Saturday 20 May 2023

All17:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:2020:50

Thomas and Jane Connolly Memorial Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 18:56 | Winning time: 1m 12.42s

(5)

Almaty Star³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 85

8/15

Got back on track after 6 months off when second of 10 in minor event at Kempton (6f, 5/2) 33 days ago, clear of rest. Obvious claims.

Form: 36-2

(4)

Dark Kestrel^t²⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T GosdenWS

10/3

Promising individual. 14/1, sixth of 14 in minor event at Yarmouth (6f, good), slowly away. Off 8 months but should have more to offer.

Form: 06-

(2)

De La Hoya³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: K Frost

150/1

25/1, last of 7 in maiden at Southwell (6.1f) on debut 36 days ago. Lots to find.

Form: 7

(1)

Kaidu⁹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: William Cox| T: C G Cox

40/1

40/1, seventh of 12 in maiden at Kempton (6f) on debut. Off 94 days with a big step forward required.

Form: 7

(12)

Lil Wade

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Swift| T: S Dixon

150/1

8,000 gns yearling, £15,000 2-y-o, Dandy Man gelding. Brother to winner up to 6f Saielah. Dam 1m winner. Market can guide.

Form:

(11)

McCauley's Tavern³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 77

8/1

Fair ex-Irish gelding. Below form third of 6 in minor event at Nottingham (5f, heavy, 3/1) 38 days ago. Needs to bounce back for his current yard.

Form: 5422-43

(7)

Surrey Noir²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Fellowes| BF

15/2

Promising individual. 2/1, second of 10 in maiden at Chelmsford City (6f) 23 days ago, not enjoying a clear run. Should improve. Well in the mix.

Form: 52

(6)

Whiskey Priest⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll

50/1

Fourth of 9 in maiden (14/1) at Thirsk (6f, heavy) on debut 9 days ago. Needs to build on it.

Form: 4

(8)

Beanie Blue¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: Steph Hollinshead

250/1

Last of 15 in minor event at Redcar (6f, good to soft, 80/1) on debut 16 days ago, very slowly away. Others appeal more.

Form: 0

(9)

Kynsa⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne

100/1

Twice-raced maiden. 50/1, seventh of 10 in maiden at Southwell (6.1f) 9 days ago, never nearer. More is required.

Form: 0-7

(3)

Lady Chapel¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| BF

33/1

3/1, tenth of 15 in minor event at Redcar (6f, good to soft) on debut 16 days ago. Open to progress.

Form: 0

Non-Runners

(10)

Boxing Alex²⁸¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: D Loughnane J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Almaty Star (8/15), Dark Kestrel (10/3), Surrey Noir (15/2), McCauley's Tavern (8/1), Lady Chapel (33/1), Boxing Alex (33/1), Kaidu (40/1), Whiskey Priest (50/1), Kynsa (100/1), De La Hoya (150/1), Lil Wade (150/1), Beanie Blue (250/1)

ALMATY STAR holds the clear edge on form so is fancied to open his account at the chief expense of Chelmsford City second Surrey Noir, who also looks to have better days ahead of him. Dark Kestrel can take a sizeable step forward on his debut Yarmouth sixth and appeals as the pick of the rest for place purposes.