Ladbrokes 'Play '1-2-Free' On Football Novice Stakes

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 1m 59.84s

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(5)

Apachito²⁰⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jane Elliott| T: K Frost

150/1

Has masses to prove given how little he has shown in his career to date. Not seen since finishing 15th of 18 at Leicester in August when never involved. Makes AW debut and is best watched.

Form: 80-

(4)

Cityzen Serg

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon

3/1

Newcomer by Raven's Pass who cost €75,000 as a yearling. Half-brother to Listed winner Summer Daydream. Stable form a concern, but he has to be respected for these connections in what is open to race to start off in.

Form:

(1)

Dark Scimitar¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: M Botti

5/2

Progressed from debut effort to go very close over C&D last month when only beaten a neck. The form of that race is open to question, but the yard/jockey are going nicely at present so he is high on the shortlist.

Form: 42

(6)

Heaton Chapel

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: D J S Ffrench Davis

66/1

Requinto colt who makes debut for yard not readily associated with having first time out winners. They are also without a winner in general for 231 days (38 runners in that space of time). Watching brief advised.

Form:

(3)

Pot Of Paint¹⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| BF

9/2

Achieved a very smart level of form on debut last season, but subsequently failed to back that up over C&D when an underwhelming fourth (sent off 7-2jf). Something to prove now, and there are a couple of potentially useful newcomers in the line-up.

Form: 44-

(7)

The First King^b1¹³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: P & O Cole

7/1

Not seen since finishing second on debut at Deauville (1m1f; standard) for this yard back in October. Only beaten a short-head that day, but difficult to assess the strength of that form. Yard going very well at the moment, and he is considered.

Form: 2-

(2)

Moohareeba

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden

7/2

Invincible Spirit filly out of a Galileo mare. Very well-related (half-sister to the smart Mootasadir and Dubai Warrior). Bred for this surface. Could easily make a winning racecourse debut receiving weight from all of her rivals.

Form:

Forecasts

Dark Scimitar (5/2), Cityzen Serg (3/1), Moohareeba (7/2), Pot Of Paint (9/2), The First King (7/1), Heaton Chapel (66/1), Apachito (150/1)

Although it is difficult to assess the strength of the race he was second in on debut, The First King is respected as he has his first start on these shores. Dark Scimitar ran to a good level when runner-up over C&D recently, and if progressing again he should go extremely close to making it third time lucky. However, those with experience don't set an overly daunting standard, and so this looks a good opportunity for the well-bred MOOHAREEBA to make a winning racecourse debut. She is a half-sister to the same connections' Dubai Warrior who won a Group 3 at Lingfield last month. If she possesses even half the ability that horse does, she will take some stopping.