Nick Brooks EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 4.56s

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(5)

Istanbul Sultan²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas

3/1

Showed some promise on debut at Newbury but didn't progress on that at Yarmouth latest, and third from that race well beaten since. The form is there, but he probably needs a step forward again here. Step up in trip may help.

Form: 52

(2)

Loxley

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby

5/4

Fourth foal, breeding suggests this sort of trip an ideal launchpad and although there's no great start in the family, yard have a 25% strike rate with their 2-y-o's here and he's worth a glance in the market.

Form:

(4)

Perfect Blue

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston

9/1

Bred to stay well, related to plenty of French Group winners and yard have a 17% strike rate with their juveniles here. Possible he will need the experience but market will tell us if that's the case.

Form:

(1)

Racing Country

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor

9/1

This trip might stretch him if his breeding is anything to go by, as the best of his family tend to be better at shorter (including sprinters) and the yard don't have the best of strike rates here either (just 9%). Best watched today.

Form:

(6)

Starcaster³³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R Winston| T: H Morrison

9/2

Yard's 2-y-o's tend to improve for experience, so it was a good sign that this one was able to finish so close on his Leicester debut in September. From a very good family and this step up in trip can only improve him. Looks a player.

Form: 3

(3)

We Know^t⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford

20/1

Only went off a 5-1 chance on debut at Epsom but ran very green and was well beaten at the finish. Needs plenty of improvement on that if he's to challenge for top honours. Makes only minimal appeal.

Form: 6

Forecasts

Loxley (5/4), Istanbul Sultan (3/1), Starcaster (9/2), Racing Country (9/1), Perfect Blue (9/1), We Know (20/1)

It's rare that one of Hughie Morrison;s finishes close up on debut and when they do, they're always worth a look next time, so STARCASTER is very interesting here. With improvement almost guaranteed, he can prove hard to beat. Loxley looks a likely type on paper as well, and this trip should be ideal, so if the market speaks in his favour, he needs careful consideration. Perfect Blue and Istanbul Sultan can fight out the minors.