AWC Finals Day At Newcastle 26th March Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Lacks size/scope despite being a 6-figure breeze-up buy. Did show a fair bit of ability when left for dust behind a fine prospect on debut at Haydock (6f). The subsequent form of those in behind has proved mixed, though he will learn/improve from that run.

Made a promising start with back-to-back seconds for a good yard. Pulled clear with one with solid form (beaten ¾ length) when well backed at Redcar (7f) latest, forced to switch under 2f out/ran on. Drop to sprinting has some merit (raced freely last time) and there's likely better to come.

£150,000 Blackbeard gelding. Showed plenty when close third in a race that's worked out well on debut at Newbury (6.5f). Keenness compromised his finishing effort when turned over at Yarmouth last time. Subsequent gelding operation could help in that regard, and he remains the one to beat.

Expensive breeze-up purchase who is clearly much speedier than his pedigree implies. At contrasting odds to on debut, he showed much more when ¾-length fourth of 12 in a maiden (80/1) at Newcastle (6f) second time up. This demands more again, though.

Foaled March 21. 100,000 gns foal, £70,000 2-y-o, Blue Point colt. Dam maiden (stayed 1½m), closely related to winner up to 1m Nantyglo and winner up to 1½m Resplendent Light (both useful). In capable hands, though bred to need time/distance on his dam's side.

Foaled May 1. 200,000 gns yearling, Wootton Bassett colt. Half-brother to useful 6f winner Jazl. Dam, 6f winner, half-sister to smart 2-y-o 6f winner Sakheer. Yard already had a couple of juvenile debutants go well this month. Worth noting for support.

Much improved from his debut when 8-lengths third in a race that didn't pan out ideally at Pontefract (6f). Addition of a tongue strap isn't a negative on that evidence, though it may be in nurseries where he truly makes a mark.