Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust Supports NHC EBF Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 14:13 | Winning time: 2m 10.19s

(4)

Sea Lantern²⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: D Tudhope| T: B Ellison| OR: 87

16/1

Confirmed promise of debut third at Roscommon (1½m, good) when winning a maiden over the same C&D in September, on what was his final run for Jack Davison. Armed with potential starting out for new connections and, though this is tougher, he has to be respected.

Form: 31-

(3)

Asia Force⁸³

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

7/1

Held back by inexperience when failing to land the odds on debut at Newcastle in January. Pulled a mile clear of the other 2 when again finding just one too good at Southwell (11f) the following month and this well-bred colt remains open to improvement.

Form: 22

(2)

Infraad²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| BF

4/5

Closely related to several winners and posted an encouraging second in a Doncaster maiden on sole 2-y-o start. Still looked green when third in a 9-runner Nottingham novice (1¼m, good to soft) 3 weeks ago and likely to take a step forward before long.

Form: 2-3

(1)

Leighton¹⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| BF

9/4

Frankel colt and out of connections' 1¼m/1½m Group 1 winner Coronet. Wasn't knocked about when fifth in a 12-runner Kempton maiden (1m) won by a potentially very useful Godolphin colt and improvement should be forthcoming.

Form: 5-

(5)

Night Wolf¹⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D Swift| T: S Spencer| BF

33/1

Encouraging fifth of 13 in a strong maiden at York (7f, good to firm) on debut in August but appeared to take a backward step when failing to justify favouritism in a Redcar novice for new yard 2 months later. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 53-

(6)

Why Not Win

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P J McDonald| T: C Johnston

22/1

Ghaiyyath colt. Closely related to high-class winner up to 1¼m Akeed Mofeed and very smart 6f-7f winner Jordan Sport. Pitched into a warm race for his debut and the market should point the way.

Form:

Forecasts

Infraad (4/5), Leighton (9/4), Asia Force (7/1), Sea Lantern (16/1), Why Not Win (22/1), Night Wolf (33/1)

Though LEIGHTON failed to live up to market expectations on debut at Kempton in November, it was an encouraging start to his career nonetheless and this well-bred colt can be expected to take a sizeable step forward. He gets the nod ahead of several other promising types, with Asia Force just about the pick of them ahead of Infraad and Sea Lantern.