15:20 Windsor

Saturday 1 July 2023

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Darley Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 1m 46.31s

(10)

Alsakib³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| D

4/1

Kingman colt who showed improved form to get off the mark at second attempt in a Chester novice (7.6f) 5 weeks ago, not ideally placed but still winning readily. In very good hands and respected with prospect of more to come.

Form: 21

(5)

Troon⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 87

20/1

Looked potentially useful when making a winning debut at Kempton in October. Off 7 months and failed by a long chalk to match that form when eleventh of 12 in novice event at Newbury (7f, good) 43 days ago but he's not one to write off.

Form: 1-0

(7)

Connected

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K Stott| T: K P De Foy

14/1

120,000 gns yearling, Twilight Son gelding. Half-brother to 3 winners, including useful/ungenuine 5f/6f winner Nigel Nott and 2-y-o 6f winner Baileys Breathless. Dam 2-y-o 5f winner. This something of a belated debut for one with his pedigree and the betting should guide.

Form:

(9)

Elnajmm²¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: A J Farragher| T: W J Haggas| BF

4/5

Sea The Stars colt who showed plenty to work on when second behind a useful sort on debut at Kempton (7f) in November. Absent since but very much the type to improve and big shout with step up in trip entitled to suit.

Form: 2-

(1)

Kalamunda⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: J Parr

33/1

Once-raced maiden. 11/1, last of 8 in minor event at Yarmouth (8f, soft) on debut 67 days ago, pulling hard and weakening. This should reveal more.

Form: 8

(6)

Magic Memories²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore

80/1

Twice-raced maiden. 20/1, went backwards from debut effort when ninth of 14 in minor event at Kempton (7f) 24 days ago, making little impression. Handicaps likely to be more his bag in due course.

Form: 49

(2)

Zodiac Star²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ross Coakley| T: A King| OR: 81

11/2

Son of Kodiac who ran best race to date when third in an 11-runner Wolverhampton novice (8.6f) in November, no extra late on but clear of remainder. Gelded subsequently and no surprise to see him thereabouts on return.

Form: 443-

(4)

Fakhra¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| BF

12/1

Twice-raced maiden. Second of 11 in minor event at Wetherby (7f, good to firm, 4/7) 18 days ago, headway out wide over 2f out and keeping on. Needs to pull out a bit more if she's to open her account here.

Form: 22

(8)

Miss Bling Bling

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Theodore Ladd| T: P J McBride

100/1

Ribchester filly. Half-sister to useful 12.4f-16.6f winner Dubawi Fifty and 9f winner Luna d'Olanda. Dam unraced sister to St Leger winner Brian Boru. Probably best watched on racecourse debut.

Form:

Non-Runners

(3)

Jimmy Frankham¹⁸

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: Owen Burrows J: Rhys Clutterbuck

Forecasts

Elnajmm (4/5), Jimmy Frankham (7/2), Alsakib (4/1), Zodiac Star (11/2), Fakhra (12/1), Connected (14/1), Troon (20/1), Kalamunda (33/1), Magic Memories (80/1), Miss Bling Bling (100/1)

ELNAJMM showed plenty to work on when runner-up behind a useful sort on debut at Kempton late last year and, with progress on the cards, he can build on that now and come out on top upped in trip. Jimmy Frankham and Alsakib are similarly improving types and feared, along with the returning Zodiac Star.