17:40 Kempton

Saturday 4 January 2020

All16:1016:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:40

32Red Casino Novice Stakes (Div 1)

Off time: 17:42 | Winning time: 1m 28.9s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Zhukovsky²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R Kingscote| T: I Mohammed

4/1

Showed definite promise on debut when looking to get the hang of things late in the day to grab fifth. Could improve from that and is on the shortlist. However, conceding weight away all round makes things tough.

Form: 5-

(8)

Notforalongtime²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| D

11/10

Stable/jockey form is a concern. However, he would hold every chance on paper, as he showed a good level of improvement from his debut effort to get off the mark at the second attempt at Chelmsford (7f; standard) last month.

Form: 41-

(10)

Astroman²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S W Kelly| T: J M P Eustace

33/1

Hard to see him reversing form with Notforalongtime who he was over four-length behind in fourth at Chelmsford (7f; standard) last time out. That was an improvement on his debut effort though, so he may hold place claims if stepping forward again.

Form: 74-

(2)

Buzztothemoon^b³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti

66/1

Impossible to fancy given how poorly he has ran on both career starts to date which have both came at this track. Tailed-off over 1m here last month, and others hold far superior claims.

Form: 00-

(7)

Giovanni Tiepolo²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: H Candy

12/1

Has finished in midfield on each of his two starts in novice races, and looked to improve for the step up to this trip at Lingfield (7f; standard) most recently. Qualifies for a handicap mark after this, which is where his future lies.

Form: 76-

(3)

Indian Road²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston

25/1

Steps up to 7f after being well-beaten in a pair of 6f events at Newcastle. Marked improvement required on what he has shown so far, and he is very difficult to make a case for. Look elsewhere for stronger alternatives.

Form: 90-

(1)

Makram

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Adam J McNamara| T: H & R Charlton

7/1

Newcomer by Make Believe who has been gelded ahead of racecourse debut. Cost €90,000 as a yearling. Dam is a full-sister to 1m4f Group 1 winner Youmzain. This is an open contest to make debut in. Check market vibes with this one.

Form:

(9)

Prince Percy³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: G & J Moore

7/1

Not beaten far on AW debut at Lingfield (7f; standard) on his latest effort. That was a definite step forward from low-key debut effort. Now needs to step forward again, but looks to have place claims at best.

Form: 75-

(6)

The Cola Kid

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: B A Curtis| T: H Spiller

18/1

By Lethal Force. Made 7,000gns as a yearling. Hal-brother to three winners, including one who won over 1m. Bang in-form jockey booked for the ride and this is an open-looking contest on paper.

Form:

(5)

Indian Star

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Aled Beech⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Bridger

150/1

Indian Haven filly. Half-sister to two winners up to 1m. Stable going through quiet patch as it is, and they are not known to have winning newcomers. Best watched on debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Notforalongtime (11/10), Zhukovsky (4/1), Makram (7/1), Prince Percy (7/1), Giovanni Tiepolo (12/1), The Cola Kid (18/1), Indian Road (25/1), Astroman (33/1), Buzztothemoon (66/1), Indian Star (150/1)

This has the look of a decent maiden on paper, and it can be quickly narrowed down to three main contenders. Connections of Zhukovsky would have been encouraged by the promise he showed on his belated debut when a staying-on fifth at Wolverhampton three weeks ago. He looks disadvantaged with the weight he has to give away here though. The sole winner in the field is Notforalongtime and he improved for the step up to this trip recently when a three-length winner at Chelmsford. He should make a bold bid to defy the penalty. However, a chance is taken on the newcomer MAKRAM who cost a fair bit as a yearling and is well-related (dam a full sister to the talented Youmzain).