2.15 EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Bands C And D) (Class 5) – 5f, Soft

Master Top Two Rated Horses:

1. Bravo Hotel (TimeWise Total: 250)
2. Quantum Power (TimeWise Total: 247)

Bravo Hotel

• Recent Form & Comments: Bravo Hotel (2yo, 110 days since last race) showed clear promise in his first two starts, finishing third at Pontefract (5f, good) and York (5f, good to firm). However, he “never got involved” at Carlisle (good to soft) in May and has since been gelded. He sets a clear standard based on his best form and his pedigree includes a half-brother who won on soft ground. He is considered “respected back from a break”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Possesses strong previous form that sets a high standard. His half-brother’s success on soft ground suggests suitability for today’s ‘Soft’ going. The gelding operation might lead to improved performance.
  • Weaknesses: His last performance was poor, and he is returning from a significant break of 110 days, raising questions about his current fitness and form.
  • Suitability: The 5f distance aligns with his promising early runs. The soft ground is likely suitable due to his breeding.

Quantum Power

• Recent Form & Comments: Quantum Power (2yo, 23 days since last race) ran green on his Southwell debut in July but improved significantly to finish runner-up at Ripon (6f, good) last month. During that Ripon race, he took a strong hold under prominent tactics. While the Ripon form is “not strong,” he is “open to more progress” with a reduction in trip.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Showed considerable improvement in his second start and is expected to progress further, especially with the drop in trip.
  • Weaknesses: His debut effort was “green,” and the Ripon form was “not strong”. His tendency to take a “strong hold” suggests he may still be immature.
  • Suitability: The drop from 6f to 5f is expected to suit him. His previous strong run was on ‘good’ ground, making his suitability for ‘Soft’ ground unknown.

Spotlight Verdict: The returning BRAVO HOTEL didn’t fire when last seen at Carlisle in May but he sets a clear standard on his previous third at York. He should take some stopping if he can recapture that form and he’s a half-brother to a soft-ground winner. Recent Ripon runner-up Quantum Power looks the pick of the other runners with experience, although Jack Rabbit Slims could bounce back with a big run on his return to slow ground. There are also some newcomers who need a close look, including Finnic and Brave Traveller.

2.45 Topmark Solutions Facilities Management EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (Class 5) – 5f, Soft

Master Top Two Rated Horses:

1. Ophelia Grace (TimeWise Total: 280)
2. Fast Generation (TimeWise Total: 201)

Ophelia Grace

• Recent Form & Comments: Ophelia Grace (2yo, 23 days since last race) showed promise on her debut, finishing second over C&D (good to firm) last month, and then won a 5f maiden at Southwell 11 days later “unextended”. She is considered a “strong contender” despite carrying a 7lb penalty.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Already a winner and demonstrated significant latent ability, suggesting there’s more to come. She has C&D experience.
  • Weaknesses: Carries a 7lb penalty which could make her task more challenging. Her ability on “slower ground” (Soft) is an “unknown”.
  • Suitability: Proven at the 5f distance and on the course. The soft ground is the main question mark.

Fast Generation

• Recent Form & Comments: Fast Generation (2yo, 122 days since last race) ran to only a “modest level” on her debut in May (6f, good), though she was sent off as the 2-1 second favourite. She is “bred to leave that behind in time” and is “not discounted back from her four-month layoff”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Her pedigree suggests she has potential for significant improvement. The layoff might mean she is fresh and ready to perform better.
  • Weaknesses: Her debut form was modest. She is returning after a long break of 122 days.
  • Suitability: Her debut was over 6f on good ground, so the 5f distance on soft ground represents a new challenge.

Spotlight Verdict: Ophelia Grace sets a good standard for the newcomers to aim at but that will be reflected in her price and soft ground is an unknown. Fast Generation is open to improvement but the two newcomers both appeal on paper and LADY YOUMZAIN is marginally preferred to her owner’s other runner Tea Queen.

3.15 EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands A, B, C And D) (Class 4) – 7f 96y, Soft

Master Top Two Rated Horses:

1. Lady Hornblower (TimeWise Total: 276)
2. Cotton Bud (TimeWise Total: 236)

Lady Hornblower

• Recent Form & Comments: Lady Hornblower (2yo, 24 days since last race) finished second on her Carlisle debut and then won over C&D (good to firm) 24 days ago, showing “plenty of resolve”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: A C&D winner who showed strong resolve in her victory. She has high Topspeed and RP Ratings.
  • Weaknesses: The form of her recent win “has taken some knocks since”. She will need to “step forwards” to defy her penalty. Her previous win was on good to firm ground, making her suitability for ‘Soft’ conditions uncertain.
  • Suitability: Proven at the specific distance and course. The soft ground is a new test for her.

Cotton Bud

• Recent Form & Comments: Cotton Bud (2yo, 25 days since last race) garnered market support (12-1 into 13-2) on her Goodwood debut (1m, good to firm) last month, but was “slowly away” and “couldn’t make any impression”. She “should leave that behind in time” and “remains of interest”. The Spotlight suggests she “could take a big step forwards today”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Her market support on debut indicates potential. Expected to show significant improvement with experience gained.
  • Weaknesses: A poor debut performance, being slowly away and making no impression.
  • Suitability: Her debut was on good to firm ground over 1m, so 7f 96y on soft ground will be a different experience. However, her potential for improvement is a key factor.

Spotlight Verdict: Lady Hornblower stayed on well to win over C&D last month but the form hasn’t been franked and she could be vulnerable under a penalty. Elizabetty and Resdev Time can still do better, while both Trotamunda and especially Caim (second choice) are newcomers of interest. COTTON BUD failed to reward market support on her Goodwood debut but that experience won’t have been lost on her and she could take a big step forwards today.

3.48 Topmark Solutions National EV Bay-Marking Specialist Nursery Handicap (Class 5) – 1m 100y, Soft

Master Top Two Rated Horses:

1. Dunkeld Dreamer (TimeWise Total: 266)
2. Singarda (TimeWise Total: 227)

Dunkeld Dreamer

• Recent Form & Comments: Dunkeld Dreamer (2yo, 11 days since last race) has won 2 out of 3 starts since entering nurseries, with victories over 7.4f here (good to firm) and 1m at Thirsk (good ground). He “should appreciate the greater emphasis on stamina today” and “may not have finished progressing just yet”. The Spotlight notes he “looks the type to keep her nose ahead of the handicapper as she doesn’t do a great deal when getting to the front”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: In excellent recent form, having won two nursery handicaps. Expected to thrive over today’s longer trip. Still has scope for further improvement.
  • Weaknesses: Has not raced on ground slower than good, so his performance on ‘Soft’ ground is untested.
  • Suitability: The 1m 100y distance is expected to suit his stamina. The soft ground is an unknown for him.

Singarda

• Recent Form & Comments: Singarda (2yo, 32 days since last race) had his “best effort” with a sixth place at York (7f, good) in July. This performance “marked him down as one to note for a nursery campaign”. He “needs improvement to defy this opening mark but it would appear likely”. The Spotlight specifically highlights his York effort as suggesting he “could do a fair bit better when handicapped”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Has shown clear potential in previous runs, indicating he could be well-suited to handicaps. Trainer believes improvement is probable.
  • Weaknesses: Needs to improve to be competitive off his current handicap mark.
  • Suitability: His best form was on good ground over 7f. The 1m 100y distance on soft ground is untested for him, and suitability for ground “slower than good would be an unknown”.

Spotlight Verdict: Dunkeld Dreamer looks the type to keep her nose ahead of the handicapper as she doesn’t do a great deal when getting to the front. She can make another bold bid and can confirm Thirsk placings with Mr Moonshine but there are alternatives. Isambard Kingdom isn’t fully exposed as a miler but two of the nursery newcomers, Fairydale and SINGARDA, appeal most, especially the latter whose York effort in July marked him down as one who could do a fair bit better when handicapped.

4.18 Westwood Handicap (Class 6) – 1m 100y, Soft

Master Top Two Rated Horses:

1. Back From Dubai (TimeWise Total: 222)
2. Elettaria (TimeWise Total: 216)

Back From Dubai

• Recent Form & Comments: Back From Dubai (8yo, 13 days since last race) is primarily known for his Tapeta performances but has a win at this course on soft ground and is back on his last successful mark.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Proven ability on soft ground at Beverley, making him well-suited to today’s conditions. He is running off a mark he has successfully won from before.
  • Weaknesses: Starting from stall 14 is “not ideal for one happiest on the sharp end”.
  • Suitability: Highly suitable for the course and soft ground. The 1m 100y distance is where he has won previously.

Elettaria

• Recent Form & Comments: Elettaria (6yo, 35 days since last race) finished third in this race last year when drawn wide and off a 3lb lower mark. She “has never run badly round here and knows how to win”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Has a good record at Beverley, including a placing in this specific race. Known to be a winner.
  • Weaknesses: Primarily races over shorter distances, so the combination of 1m 100y and soft ground “raises stamina concerns”. She is running off a 3lb higher mark than last year.
  • Suitability: Her course form is a positive. However, her stamina for this trip on soft ground is a significant weakness.

Spotlight Verdict: Lightly raced Oilisa is second choice, having fared better on her turf debut last week, but JIMMY HENRY is fancied to get off the mark having shown this trip to be within range at Leicester last time. First Encounter and Hashtagnotions should also go well.

4.53 We Are Christmas Party Central Handicap (Class 4) – 5f, Soft

Master Top Two Rated Horses:

1. Elegant Erin (TimeWise Total: 300)
2. Alligator Alley (TimeWise Total: 291)

Elegant Erin

• Recent Form & Comments: Elegant Erin (8yo, 18 days since last race) has a remarkable record in this race, winning it in 2022 (soft) and last year (good to firm). She ran well in Listed company most recently, suggesting she has a “chance of making it 4-8 over C&D”. She is “bit higher in the weights this time”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Exceptional course and distance specialist, with two previous wins in this race on varying ground. Demonstrated good form in higher class races recently. Proven on soft ground.
  • Weaknesses: Carries a higher weight this year compared to her previous wins.
  • Suitability: Highly suitable for the C&D and soft ground conditions.

Alligator Alley

• Recent Form & Comments: Alligator Alley (8yo, 12 days since last race) has not won on turf for a “long time” and is not as good as he once was, but remains “consistent given his age”. He put in a good “Haydock second off 2lb lower” recently. However, he has been “taken out several times on account of good to soft or slower ground in the past”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Remains consistent and showed good form with a recent second. High Topspeed and RP Rating.
  • Weaknesses: Has a strong preference for faster ground, and his history of being withdrawn from softer conditions is a significant concern for today’s ‘Soft’ going.
  • Suitability: The soft ground is a major weakness and could severely hinder his performance.

Spotlight Verdict: Elegant Erin (second choice) has a fair chance of winning this for the third time in four years, having taken it off 1lb lower in 2022 and 3lb lower 12 months ago, but preference is for stablemate TIRIAC, who had no luck at Thirsk last time and has won on heavy going. Faster ground would have been optimal for Emeralds Pride and Alligator Alley, but conditions are fine for the well-treated pair Changeofmind and Good Earth, who should both go well.

5.24 Season Finale Is Next Tuesday Handicap (Class 5) – 1m 1f 207y, Soft

Master Top Two Rated Horses:

1. Showyoutheropes (TimeWise Total: 254)
2. Sonic Pioneer (TimeWise Total: 252)

Showyoutheropes

• Recent Form & Comments: Showyoutheropes (3yo, 32 days since last race) broke his maiden at the seventh attempt in a Newmarket handicap (1m2f, good to firm) last month. This was a “narrow success but he’s only 2lb higher here and is open to more progress”. While all his previous runs were on good/good to firm, his dam won on soft ground.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: A recent winner who is still unexposed and expected to progress further. The 2lb rise in weights is manageable. His dam’s ability on soft ground offers hope for today’s conditions.
  • Weaknesses: The horse itself has no direct experience on soft ground.
  • Suitability: The 1m 1f 207y distance is comparable to his recent winning trip. His pedigree suggests potential for soft ground, but it’s an untested factor for him.

Sonic Pioneer

• Recent Form & Comments: Sonic Pioneer (3yo, 16 days since last race) won on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in February and has since finished runner-up five times, including at Epsom (8.5f) and Carlisle (1m1f, both good) in his last two starts. He “switches to slow ground for the first time” but “has possibilities if he can continue the good work”.
• Assessment of Chances Today:
  • Strengths: Highly consistent performer, regularly placing in competitive races. His trainer sees “possibilities” despite the new conditions.
  • Weaknesses: This will be his first time on slow (soft) ground.
  • Suitability: The 1m 1f 207y distance is a step up from his recent 8.5f and 1m1f runs. His lack of experience on soft ground is a significant unknown.

Spotlight Verdict: An open race in which the vote goes to the versatile DR RIO (nap), who has won over different trips here in two of his last four starts, including a comfortable success over 1m4f last time. Star Start is preferred of the remainder ahead of Sonic Pioneer although Dandy’s Angel could be dangerous on the step back up in trip, while another who needs a close look is Sir Mark Prescott’s handicap newcomer Into Combat.