ESL Group Nursery

Off time: 19:28 | Winning time: 1m 32.42s

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(1)

War Storm^p²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 85

4/1

Chasing the hat-trick after wins at York and Redcar (6f both times); kept on well on both those occasions and leading claims on handicap debut from a mark of 85; it'll take a good one to overhaul him at this stage.

Form: 311

(4)

The New Marwan²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

2/1

Has course experience and noteworthy that he benefited from a strong pace to win at Hamilton last month. The runner up and last home from that race have both won since; well worth a betting check; his owner loves a winner on the Roodee.

Form: 621

(6)

Vardon Flyer²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 81

6/1

Getting the hang of things and latest effort in a decent looking maiden at York reads well; the winner has gone in again since. The step up in trip should suit and the gelding is worth a betting check at least.

Form: 5622

(3)

Know No Limits¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 78| C

11/4

Managed a win over 6f here last month but held at Bath since. This step up in trip can bring more improvement though. Dangerous to overlook despite the trainer's quiet returns lately.

Form: 3413

(7)

Dark Of Night^p1⁴³

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: George Wood| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 77

12/1

Cost 155,000 gns but not made much progress in three starts so far; needs to improve greatly for the switch to handicapping. Poor effort on turf debut last time is also off-putting.

Form: 457

(5)

Breguet Man¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 67

16/1

On a lenient mark for his handicap debut and at least has course experience to draw from. Needs to reverse course form with Know No Limits though and appears to have a bit to find just now.

Form: 933

(2)

G For Gabrial¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-1| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65

12/1

Well beaten in all starts so far (which have all been at this course) and looks the stable's second string. Might do better over slightly further in due course, so worth noting how he gets on for next time if nothing else.

Form: 9653

Forecasts

The New Marwan (2/1), Know No Limits (11/4), War Storm (4/1), Vardon Flyer (6/1), G For Gabrial (12/1), Dark Of Night (12/1), Breguet Man (16/1)

WAR STORM has been a tough customer to deal with so far and, given the way he powered home to win his first two starts, the Due Diligence colt sets a high standard for the rest to aim for at present. The New Marwan represents connections that always need a betting check when sending contenders to this course and his last two starts have been encouraging enough to suggest he's one to keep on the right side. He can give the selection the most to do this time. Know No Limits and Vardon Flyer can scrap it out as the best of the rest.