15:50 Chepstow

Friday 17 July 2020

All12:1512:4513:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:50

NB Civils & Surfacing Ltd Maiden Stakes

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 2m 33.53s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Celtic Arch^p1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: B J Llewellyn

250/1

Finished last of twelve on debut and, after being reluctant to load and slow to start, he was soon tailed off and out of contention. Very little to recommend from that run.

Form: 0

(12)

Perfect Predator^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: David Probert| T: A King

9/2

Plenty of experience and the yard's runners on the Flat are always worth checking out. This fellow is rated 123 over hurdles but made a smooth transition to the level at Doncaster earlier in the month and can pay his way; one to consider.

Form: 5

(1)

Guardia Top²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: N J Hawke| C

7/1

Finished fourth of 12 on her Flat-race debut last month and possible she can use that as a platform. The filly has won here over hurdles before (rated 122 in that sphere) and appeals as a likely candidate this time.

Form: 4

(10)

Coltrane¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 75| BF

5/4

Bred to get a trip but shown a good deal of promise in two starts so far; admittedly was an expensive favourite to follow last time but the switch to turf could be key here. One to monitor closely in the betting.

Form: 24

(11)

Donald Llewellyn⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S Hitchcott| T: G & J Moore

125/1

Modest form in two starts so far and lacked a tactical change of gear both times. His breeding doesn't scream out for middle distances but he certainly lacks the speed to be tried again over a shorter trip; hard to fancy here.

Form: 7-7

(8)

Hydraulic¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L P Keniry| T: D & C Kubler

100/1

Cost 52,000 gns and appeals as a middle distance prospect on pedigree; but needs to better the form of his two previous runs if he's going to take a hand. At least qualifies for a handicap mark after this and likely to do better at a later stage.

Form: 76

(7)

Perfect Arch²⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Hector Crouch| T: S bin Suroor

7/1

€110,000 yearling that runs for a top yard. His debut produced the likes of recent Windsor scorer Glenties and Emissary who at least went on to contest the Derby. The gelding's latest run against two highly rated individuals helps set the standard.

Form: 83-

(9)

Retrospect²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian

4/1

Cost 850,000 gns as a yearling but made very little impression on debut at Kempton but showed a bit of improvement when fourth of 10 when switched to the turf at Thirsk last month. Going the right way but needs another step forward.

Form: 94

(2)

Theocrat

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ryan Tate| T: N J Hawke

100/1

A Teofilo colt out of a New Approach mare, his dam was a maiden on the Flat but stayed 1m4f, interesting enough on paper but his yard isn't noted to first-time out winners. Others hold an edge in terms of experience.

Form:

(3)

Gaelic Belle

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: S M Levey| T: B R Millman

80/1

A Media Hype filly out of an Iceman mare, her dam is a half-sister to a 2m2f/2m3f hurdle winner. Makes limited appeal on racecourse debut unless the betting market produces a surprise move.

Form:

(4)

Nostalgica²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston

11/1

A filly by Sea The Stars out of an Aussie Rules mare; her debut was promising but the winner of that race was put in her place in a Listed race at Hamilton yesterday. The yard's patient approach can only help this filly as she gains more experience.

Form: 4

Non-Runners

(5)

Carausius¹⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: C Hills J: Harry Bentley

Forecasts

Coltrane (5/4), Retrospect (4/1), Perfect Predator (9/2), Carausius (5/1), Perfect Arch (7/1), Guardia Top (7/1), Nostalgica (11/1), Gaelic Belle (80/1), Theocrat (100/1), Hydraulic (100/1), Donald Llewellyn (125/1), Celtic Arch (250/1)

PERFECT ARCH faced a couple of highly promising types from the Aidan O'Brien yard last time out and, although well beaten, this does look an awful lot easier and the Dawn Approach gelding will be hard to beat if he's fully wound up for his seasonal bow. Perfect Predator runs for a yard that is quietly targeting prize-money on the Flat so merits close scrutiny in the betting, while Coltrane is still of interest despite a below expectations effort on the Polytrack last time. The switch to turf can bring an improved effort form Andrew Balding's charge. Guardia Top and Carausius are a couple of others to keep a close eye on in the betting market.