Star Sports We Believe In Bookmaking Restricted Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 1m 36.87s

(4)

Duca Di Lucca²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Woods| OR: 72

9/2

Won debut in a weak novice at Southwell last autumn, coming home strongly despite inexperience. Finished eighth of 10 in a stronger novice at Southwell (33/1) 24 days ago, racing freely in first-time tongue strap and never threatening. That aid removed switched to turf.

Form: 1-8

(2)

Immediate Effect¹⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 81

4/7

Won maiden on debut at Wolverhampton in October. Better form when second of 11 in novice at Southwell (15/8) 189 days ago, hampered and stumbled but finished with running left. Likely to go on improving and the one to beat on turf debut.

Form: 12-

(5)

Alfie D²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: N Callan| T: J Tate

11/2

Sixth of 10 in maiden at Windsor (20/1) on debut 23 days ago, running to only a modest level after dropping away from 2f out. Needs significant improvement to make an impact.

Form: 6

(1)

Grey Phoenix^h²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Davies| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 69

8/1

Shaped with some promise when fourth in a trio of maiden races on the AW, making late headway but not seen to best effect in first-time hood last time. Retains potential switched to turf.

Form: 4-44

(3)

Salve Electra²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: A J Farragher| T: James Horton

25/1

Green both starts 7 months apart, fifth of 8 at Lingfield (25/1) 28 days ago, slow into stride and unable to quicken. Needs substantial improvement.

Form: 8-5

Forecasts

Immediate Effect (4/7), Duca Di Lucca (9/2), Alfie D (11/2), Grey Phoenix (8/1), Salve Electra (25/1)

IMMEDIATE EFFECT stepped up markedly on his debut win when running a promising second at Southwell, despite being hampered, and with obvious potential for further improvement, he's taken to land this novice. Duca di Lucca will find this easier than the Southwell race he contested last time, with Grey Phoenix another to note.