Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 2m 23.30s

(6)

High Storm¹⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| BF

10/3

Bred to be useful over middle distances and posted fairly encouraging efforts when third at Redcar (7f, good, 11/4) and fourth at Nottingham (8.3f, soft, 15/8) in pair of starts in the autumn. Remains with potential stepping up further in trip.

Form: 34-

(4)

La Peregrina¹²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: George Downing| T: E Walker

18/1

150,000 gns Sea The Stars colt. Dam maiden half-sister to useful 2-y-o 1m-1¼m winner Goldspur out of very smart 1¼m-12.4f winner Pomology, won Lancashire Oaks/Prix Vermeille. Showed only greenness in Redcar novice in October. Has subsequently been gelded.

Form: 6-

(3)

Pursuit Of Love

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: C Appleby

8/11

Sea The Stars colt. Brother to very smart 1¼m-1½m winner Fanny Logan. Dam, 9.5f-1½m winner, half-sister to high-class 9f-11f winner Hunter's Light. One of 2 debutants for yard that has excellent record with newcomers.

Form:

(2)

Sailor Song

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: C Appleby

7/1

€100,000 yearling. Zarak gelding. First foal. Dam, 1m-1¼m winner, half-sister to very smart winner up to 14.5f Eldar Eldarov. One of 2 debutants for yard that has excellent record with newcomers.

Form:

(1)

Distorted Truth⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: K R Burke

18/1

Camelot filly. Sister to 1m-1¼m winner Westernesse. Dam, 1¼m winner who stayed 2m. Offered something to work on when second of 9 in a maiden at Kempton over 11f (10/3) on debut last month, chasing home a more experienced rival who had the run of things. Entitled to progress.

Form: 2

(5)

You Got To My Soul⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Edward Greatrex| T: R M Beckett

12/1

175,000 gns yearling, Zoustar filly. Half-sister to several winners, including 8.5f-1½m winner Falcao Negro and 1¼m winner Gipoia, both smart. Showed promise despite obvious greenness (very slowy away) when third of 7 on debut at Southwell (1m, 7/1) last month. Up in trip and should improve.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Pursuit Of Love (8/11), High Storm (10/3), Sailor Song (7/1), You Got To My Soul (12/1), La Peregrina (18/1), Distorted Truth (18/1)

HIGH STORM ran in a couple of warm novices in the autumn and is now stepping up to a trip more in line with his pedigree, so he gets the vote. Charlie Appleby has a superb record with 3-y-o newcomers here (5 out of last 6 have won) so Pursuit of Love and Sailor Song are of obvious interest.