Gareth Bunkham 40th Birthday Celebration Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:19 | Winning time: 2m 38.33s

(3)

Creatif⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: O J Orr| T: D O'Meara| D

9/4

Fairly useful colt who made a winning debut at Saint-Cloud (12f) in May and similar form when third of 6 in minor event back at that course a month later. Acquired by new yard for no less than €140,000 thereafter and he's interesting starting out for yard in fine form.

Form: 13

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(5)

Al Ameed¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 84

7/4

Lightly-raced maiden who produced another solid effort without proving a match for the winner when respectable second of 7 in novice at Kempton (12f) 12 days ago. Sound claims for all he's yet to encounter ground this soft.

Form: 43422

(1)

Famous Shoes²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Harrison Shaw| T: K R Burke

33/1

Son of New Approach who was soon under pressure and never figured when tenth of 14 in novice at Southwell (12.1f, 22/1) on debut 25 days ago. Subsequently gelded and this should reveal more.

Form: 0

(2)

Pagan Sun^v1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: S Woods| OR: 78

20/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Sixth of 7 in handicap (11/2) at Southwell (14.1f) 24 days ago, well positioned. Visor on 1st time.

Form: 6-6636

(6)

Krissy¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: T Eaves| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

50/1

Calyx filly. Held back by inexperience but was getting the message late on when seventh of 14 in maiden (40/1) at Carlisle (11.2f, good to soft) on debut 17 days ago. Looks sure to improve and increase in trip looks in her favour.

Form: 7

(4)

Lady La Fay⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 79

15/8

Excellent effort when runner-up at Carlisle in July (11.2f). Not in quite the same form when fourth of 7 in novice (7/2) at Doncaster (11.9f, good to firm) 65 days ago but a return to this easier surface can see her in a better light. Fancied to feature.

Form: 3424

Forecasts

Al Ameed (7/4), Lady La Fay (15/8), Creatif (9/4), Pagan Sun (20/1), Famous Shoes (33/1), Krissy (50/1)

AL AMEED's effectiveness under these conditions needs to be taken on trust but he's shown more than enough to think a race of this nature is within reach and he earns the vote to get off the mark back on turf. Lady La Fay may emerge as the chief threat back on an easier surface ahead of David O'Meara's French-recruit Creatif.