JCB Fastrac EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 1m 37.49s

(4)

Cockade¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| D

8/13

Pinatubo colt whose debut fourth at Kempton in December proved extremely strong form and he looked potentially useful when making a successful return at Windsor (1m) 12 days ago, going clear final 1f. Looks a live player under a penalty with prospect of more to come.

Form: 4-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(2)

Moreedd³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: R P Downey| T: R Varian| D

6/1

Night Of Thunder colt who was far more clued up with his debut behind him when successful in an 11-runner Nottingham novice (1m) 32 days ago. Fortunate on the day (runner up sure to have collected granted a bit of luck) but he's in good hands and remains one to be positive about.

Form: 41

(1)

Alfaraz²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| BF

15/8

Has shown plenty of ability, again doing a bit much in front when a close sixth at Newbury (1¼m) in April. That form has worked out well, but more conservative tactics/fitting of a hood seemed to backfire when fifth at Chepstow 3 weeks ago. May be best allowed to stride on returned to 1m. Player.

Form: 22-65

(3)

Zynak¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Laura Pearson| T: K P De Foy

125/1

€100,000 Zarak gelding who went backwards from his low-key Newbury debut effort when ninth of 14 in a Windsor novice (1¼m, good to soft) 12 days ago. Another likely type for handicaps moving forward.

Form: 99

(6)

Littleferry

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Nicola Currie| T: John Berry

100/1

Study of Man filly. Dam 1¼m-1¾m winner. Yard wouldn't be a source of winning newcomers and this looks a hot enough introduction.

Form:

Non-Runners

(5)

Wintercast²⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cockade (8/13), Alfaraz (15/8), Moreedd (6/1), Wintercast (8/1), Littleferry (100/1), Zynak (125/1)

ALFARAZ failed to confirm previous form when fifth over 1¼m at Chepstow 3 weeks ago, yet a return to more positive tactics ought to see Andrew Balding's charge in a better light returned to this shorter trip, and he can make full use of the 7 lb he receives from penalised-pair Cockade and Moreedd, who rate next best in that order.