15:20 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 20 April 2021

All13:4514:1514:5015:2015:5516:30

Spring Meeting Novice Stakes

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 1m 49.03s

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Selected odds by:

(10)

Favoured Destiny

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L P Keniry| T: A West

250/1

4,500 gns 3-y-o, Noble Mission filly. Half-sister to useful winner up to 1¾m Sepal and 2-y-o 1m winner Clematis. Yard is hardly a frequent source of winning newcomers.

Form:

(3)

Silent Film⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby

13/8

Promising second to stablemate Highland Avenue (dual winner again since, including in listed company) at Kempton in January. Went one better at Lingfield (1m, AW) next time and he possesses potential.

Form: 21

(7)

Alpha King^b1²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 75

13/2

Shaped well sole 2-y-o start (subsequently gelded), but this season's performances have prompted questions regarding his temperament. Sported cheekpieces last time and connections now try blinkers.

Form: 2-24

(4)

Dual Identity¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 70

33/1

Showed ability in 7f novice events at Salisbury and Kempton late last season. Ought to pick up a race before long, but one suspects that he'll be seen in a better light when tackling handicaps.

Form: 63-

(2)

Fast Steps¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon

8/1

Appealing pedigree and while he was no match for Jacinth on debut at Lingfield (7f, AW) in October, that rival had experience on her side (not to mention strong form). Open to improvement.

Form: 2-

(8)

Fleurman¹²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Hector Crouch| T: R M Beckett

40/1

Clear signs of ability on debut at Kempton (11f) in December, but he shaped like a stayer in the making that day (pedigree also points to stamina reserves), so this drop in trip is of dubious benefit.

Form: 8-

(6)

Kelmscott¹⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: D Menuisier

25/1

Stepped up on low-key Newbury debut when third in 9-runner minor event at Lingfield (1m, AW) in November, finishing well. Gelded during the winter and should have more to offer as a 3-y-o.

Form: 03-

(9)

Noble Patron¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford

2/1

Nearer last than first sole 2-y-o start (subsequently gelded), but proved a different proposition when a close third on recent return at Nottingham (8.3f, good to firm). Bold show on the cards.

Form: 7-3

(5)

Rival²²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 77

9/1

Promising start to his career when runner-up at Haydock last summer, but failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts (hung left on each occasion). Has been gelded and needs to get back on track.

Form: 253-

(1)

Romulan Prince⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hughes

125/1

Little impact in a Doncaster maiden and Windsor novice (both at 1¼m) in recent weeks. Another who will probably come into his own when going down the handicap route.

Form: 07

Forecasts

Silent Film (13/8), Noble Patron (2/1), Alpha King (13/2), Fast Steps (8/1), Rival (9/1), Kelmscott (25/1), Dual Identity (33/1), Fleurman (40/1), Romulan Prince (125/1), Favoured Destiny (250/1)

Several promising types on show and SILENT FILM could be the pick of them. He built on the considerable promise of his debut effort when seeing off 10 rivals at Lingfield and there should be plenty more to come. Noble Patron merits serious consideration on the back of a much-improved reappearance effort at Nottingham and he is feared most. Fast Steps and Kelmscott are others to consider.