Royal Ascot On Sky Sports Racing Novice Stakes

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 2m 24.15s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Al Qaqaa²¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| OR: 79| BF

5/2

Given a considerate introduction behind the smart Kinross at Newmarket, and improved when head second to Stepney Causeway at Chelmsford. Just failed to get up there, and will keep progressing, so worthy of consideration.

Form: 42-

(3)

Dubai Welcome

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor

9/2

Dubawi half-brother to smart 6f/7f winner Lockwood and smart 2-y-o 1m winner Earnshaw. Appeals on pedigree, and needs monitoring in the market.

Form:

(4)

First Winter¹⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby

11/8

Dubawi half-brother to very smart 6f-1m winner Aesops Fables and 7½f winner Sense of Fun, from the family of Lammtarra. Almost overcame greenness when caught late on debut at Lingfield (1¼m) in December, and holds leading claims on that form.

Form: 2-

(5)

Master Rocco¹⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 59

150/1

Matched the pick of his earlier form when 3¼L fourth of 11 to Goddess of Fire in a 1m1½f nursery at Wolverhampton in December. Looks out of his comfort zone in this company, however.

Form: 866894-

(6)

On Guard³⁰⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S Donohoe| T: J & T Gosden

11/2

Out of a sister to 2000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand. Stayed on well when 4L second of 6 to He's A Keeper in a 1m novice at Haydock in August, and gelded since. Will improve, for all stamina for this trip is taken on trust.

Form: 2-

(2)

Zeeband

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: E J Walsh| T: R Varian

16/1

Sea The Stars half-brother to Group 3 1m2½f winner Danadana and useful 1¼m-1¾m winner Semeen. This looks his trip on breeding, and he needs a market check for all this is a rather belated debut.

Form:

Forecasts

First Winter (11/8), Al Qaqaa (5/2), Dubai Welcome (9/2), On Guard (11/2), Zeeband (16/1), Master Rocco (150/1)

Most of these are bred in the purple, and newcomers Dubai Welcome and Zeeband merit a market check, but the standard set by FIRST WINTER is solid, and he's sure to improve having been slowly away on his debut. On Guard is bred more for speed than stamina, but he kept on steadily on his racecourse bow at Haydock, and his trainer rarely gets his charges' needs wrong, so he needs the utmost respect now stepping up markedly in trip.