BetMGM: It's Showtime Novice Stakes

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 1m 40.07s

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(3)

Bragbor⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott| CD

6/4

Cost €400,000 as a 2-y-o. It took a while to get him to the track but he can make up for lost time judged on his C&D debut success in January, knuckling down well to edge out one with experience. Should improve.

Form: 1

(5)

Agathon¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies

200/1

Thrice-raced maiden. First run since leaving Joseph O'Brien when sixth of 8 in novice (12/1) at Southwell 17 days ago. Significantly down in trip. Can only watch.

Form: 40/6

(1)

Always A Star²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T E Whelan| T: Harry Charlton

40/1

Twice-raced maiden. Off 17 months after debut, showed promise when fourth of 12 in novice (18/1) at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 27 days ago, not ideally placed. Should improve but might be more one for handicaps after this.

Form: 0/4

(4)

Commanding Prince²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson

6/1

21/, shaped well when second of 6 in novice (2/1) at Southwell (7f) on debut 26 days ago. Open to progress for last year's winning yard.

Form: 2

(2)

Earl Of Rochester³²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden

5/6

Promising individual. 15/2, only narrowly behind smart pair First Conquest and Lead Artist when third of 11 in Wood Ditton at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on debut last spring. Not seen since but retains significant potential for a top stable.

Form: 3-

Forecasts

Earl Of Rochester (5/6), Bragbor (6/4), Commanding Prince (6/1), Always A Star (40/1), Agathon (200/1)

An interesting novice. EARL OF ROCHESTER presumably had a setback after finishing third in last year's Wood Ditton but it was a really strong renewal of that newcomers race and he's taken to make light of his absence, probably at the expense of last month's Southwell runner-up Commanding Prince. Bragbor will need a useful effort to defy the penalty but he's another who looks capable of better.