British EBF Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 18:38 | Winning time: 2m 9.3s

(3)

I Am I Said⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Finley Marsh| T: R M Beckett| OR: 96

5/2

Impressive winner of 1m novice (soft) on sole 2-y-o start on the other course here in October. Failed to land a blow upped in class/trip for the Classic Trial at Sandown in April (gelded since), but remains with potential and a big player in these calmer waters.

Form: 1-5

(2)

Arcimboldo¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ray Dawson| T: Dylan Cunha

80/1

Half-brother to 3 winners but hasn't shown much in maidens at Windsor and Nottingham (both at around a mile). Will be more appealing in handicaps in due course.

Form: 00

(1)

Native Spirit³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: C Appleby

7/1

Fetched 200,000 gns as a yearling and started to get the hang of things late on when fourth in an 8-runer Nottingham (10.2f, good) novice on debut last month. Will be more street-wise now and should give a good account.

Form: 4

(4)

Noble Horizon²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 84

8/15

Shaped well in 1m novice events on the AW and Rowley Mile on first 2 starts, before taking a step forward upped to this trip when second in a Chepstow maiden (good to firm) 3 weeks ago. Remains open to improvement and he makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 4-32

Forecasts

Noble Horizon (8/15), I Am I Said (5/2), Native Spirit (7/1), Arcimboldo (80/1)

The vote goes to NOBLE HORIZON, who improved for the step up to this trip when finding just one too good at Chepstow and the 6 lb he receives from I Am I Said could prove decisive. This is by no means a two-horse race, though, given the promise Native Spirit showed on his introduction.