18:50 Bath

Wednesday 12 May 2021

All17:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Axel Wolf/EBF Novice Stakes

Off time: 18:55 | Winning time: 2m 33.21s

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Selected odds by:

(9)

Crossing The Bar³³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Sir Michael Stoute

18/1

Twice-raced maiden who bettered his debut effort but was ultimately still in need of the experience when ninth of 11 in maiden (6/1) at Kempton (11f). Off 11 months. Big step forward required.

Form: 7/9-

(1)

Fort Nelson^h1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Tyler Saunders⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Portman

80/1

50/1 and blinkered, ran to just a poor level when ninth of 11 in minor event at Lingfield (12f, AW) on debut 15 days ago, racing freely and folding when headed 3f out. Hooded for 1st time.

Form: 9

(4)

Mr Curiosity¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: A Kirby| T: C Fellowes

2/1

Frankel gelding who showed ability when fourth of 11 in minor event at Lingfield (12f, AW) on debut 15 days ago, keeping on. He's open to improvement on turf debut.

Form: 4

(3)

Winander²⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: L P Keniry| T: W S Kittow

250/1

Little show in minor event/maiden 11 months apart. Clearly had his problems (off a further 8 months) so hard to see him featuring.

Form: 0/0-

(6)

Garden Paradise¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 77

13/2

Thrice-raced maiden. Improved again after 8 months off when second of 10 in maiden (8/1) at Chelmsford City (10f) 13 days ago, seen to good effect from the front. Should be in the mix.

Form: 32-2

(2)

Tiger Print¹⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Sophie Ralston⁽⁵⁾| T: W De Best-Turner

250/1

300/1, tailed-off last in minor event/listed race last year. Readily passed over on reappearance.

Form: 00-

(8)

Gustav Holst¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon

11/8

Promising type. Ran to a similar level as on debut when third of 5 in maiden at Salisbury (12f, good, 9/2) 10 days ago. Should still improve and a reproduction of that effort may suffice.

Form: 23

(5)

Mind Hunter

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon

11/1

50,000 gns foal, 75,000 gns yearling, Gleneagles colt. Dam unraced half-sister to smart winner up to 1¼m (stayed 1½m) Lady of Dubai. Yard 3-32 with 3-y-o newcomers last 12 months.

Form:

(7)

Valley Forge

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

15/2

Dansili colt. Half-brother to 3 winners, including useful 1m-1¼m winner Mudallel and 1¼m winner Lenya. Dam 2-y-o 5f-7f winner.

Form:

Forecasts

Gustav Holst (11/8), Mr Curiosity (2/1), Garden Paradise (13/2), Valley Forge (15/2), Mind Hunter (11/1), Crossing The Bar (18/1), Fort Nelson (80/1), Winander (250/1), Tiger Print (250/1)

GUSTAV HOLST has put up a couple of fairly useful efforts in defeat this year and with a reproduction of either of those should be able to get off the mark at the third attempt. He doesn't yet look the finished article and should still improve. The main threat could be Garden Paradise, who was seen to good effect from the front when second just under a fortnight ago, ahead of Valley Forge.