Karen Howell Novice Stakes

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 1m 41.43s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Yet Another¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Keelan Baker⁽⁷⁾| T: G Harris

66/1

The sole older horse in the contest he faces a very stiff task having shown no real form so far finishing last on his first two starts. Raced too freely last time (lost weight cloth); disqualified (placed last); hard to envisage an impression here.

Form: 00D

(1)

Colonel Slade^t⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: B J Meehan| OR: 63

7/2

Debut run prior to being gelded at Newmarket last summer remains his best effort his two starts this year being below that form. Unable to keep pace with the principals as the race developed at Windsor last time; others more persuasive.

Form: 6-85

(2)

Desert Lion⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: T E Whelan| T: D M Simcock| BF

30/100

Unruly at the start last time (withdrawn) he didn't step forward from his AW debut when switched to turf at Thirsk (beaten odds-on favourite) over 1m. In retrospect that doesn't look a bad effort (second has won since); worth another chance.

Form: 24

(4)

Just Champion

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: J L Flint

50/1

Newcomer out of a dam who was a winner at up to 1m2f and stayed further (1m4f); half-sister to French Listed-placed AW winner Waltz Key. Plenty of stamina in his pedigree, may need time and further than this; best watched.

Form:

(6)

Lambristo³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J S Moore

100/1

Showed very little bordering on no promise when finishing last (of 14) at Kempton (debut over 7f, started 100-1). Slow away he was always well behind, should know a little more here up in trip; hard to enthuse over.

Form: 0

(5)

Honey Bear¹⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston

7/1

From a top Northern yard that do well here (22% strike-rate last five years) this will be her turf debut; shown little in two AW starts at up to 1m earlier this year. Made little impression so far, suspect it will be handicaps than see her bloom.

Form: 08

(7)

Lady Of Mercia

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: J L Flint

50/1

One of two runners in this contest for the yard (both unraced); dam 1m AW winner out of half-sister to useful 7f-1m4f Flat/very smart 2m-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Kempes and useful 7f-1m winner Smarty Socks. Market a useful guide in this case.

Form:

Forecasts

Desert Lion (30/100), Colonel Slade (7/2), Honey Bear (7/1), Lady Of Mercia (50/1), Just Champion (50/1), Yet Another (66/1), Lambristo (100/1)

Not a race that has an enormous amount of strength in depth and despite running what looks to be a little below-par last time DESERT LION is afforded another chance to break his maiden. Colonel Slade performs as though he’s still learning his craft but he may be good enough to take second over Honey Bear making her first turf start. She needs this run for a handicap mark a sphere that will surely see her in a better light.