Darley EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 1m 37.42s

(3)

First Conquest²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| D

7/2

Made plenty of appeal on pedigree and off the mark at first time of asking when making all in 11-runner maiden (4/1) at Newmarket (8f, good to firm) 29 days ago by nose from Lead Artist. Should have more to offer.

Form: 1

(6)

Dark Tornado²⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J F Egan| T: James Horton

10/1

Twice-raced maiden. Left debut form well behind when second of 9 in minor event at Ascot (7f, firm) 8 months ago. Since joined James Horton and remains open to improvement.

Form: 62-

(1)

Lead Artist²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden

6/4

Bred in the purple and shaped with plenty of encouragement when nose second of 11 to First Conquest in maiden at Newmarket (8f, good to firm) on debut 29 days ago. Looks sure to improve.

Form: 2

(5)

Longhaired General¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: Craig Lidster

100/1

Sent off huge odds but ran with credit when fourth of 12 in minor event at Redcar (7f, soft) on debut 15 days ago. This looks much tougher, though.

Form: 4

(4)

Under Siege²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: A M Balding

7/4

Posted promising second of 17 in maiden at Newbury (8f, good) on debut 27 days ago, keeping on well. Likely to improve and must enter calculations.

Form: 2

(2)

Mystical Maria¹²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey

66/1

Offered plenty to work on when third of 9 in maiden at Newcastle (7.1f) on debut in January. Open to progress but asked a bigger question now.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Lead Artist (6/4), Under Siege (7/4), First Conquest (7/2), Dark Tornado (10/1), Mystical Maria (66/1), Longhaired General (100/1)

This can go to LEAD ARTIST, who will have learnt plenty from his promising Newmarket debut last month. First Conquest was the narrow victor on that occasion and looks sure to go well again, despite having to concede weight all round, whilst Under Siege is also much respected.