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14:05 Chester

Trafford Centre Always Ahead Novice Stakes (Class 4)

  • 5 Runners
  • Distance: 5f 16y
  • Going: Good to Firm
  • Surface: Turf
  • £7,500 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 0m 59.94s
  • Off Time: 14:05:40
  • 5 Ran
1(5)
Silk - Black, Yellow sash, Yellow cap

Lord Avon

11 D
13/2
  • Form 9143
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-5

with leaders on outside, ridden and effort over 1f out, hung left under pressure entering final furlong, one pace

2(2)
Silk - White, Purple diamond, Purple sleeves, White diamonds, Purple cap
6/4
  • Form 221
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-2

tracked leaders on inside, headway to challenge over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead narrowly inside final furlong, held on

5(4)
Silk - Light Blue and Maroon diamonds
  • Form 0023
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-0

carried right start, behind, soon ridden and outpaced, lost touch 3f out, never a factor, tailed off

6(3)
Silk - Grey, beige star, grey sleeves, beige stars and stars on cap
  • Form 23
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-0

went right start, pressed leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out until one pace inside final furlong, not pace of leading pair

8(1)
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, YELLOW stripe, YELLOW sleeves, ROYAL BLUE armlets and star on YELLOW cap
  • Form 3921
  • Age 2
  • Weight 8-11

led narrowly, ridden over 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on and every chance, just held

3(9)
NR
  • Form 212144
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-2

Nonrunner

4(8)
NR
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-0

Nonrunner

7(6)
NR
  • Form 094
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-0

Nonrunner

9(7)
NR
  • Form 3254
  • Age 2
  • Weight 8-9

Nonrunner

Previous results

In depth

Verdict

LEIBA LEIBA did it nicely last time and can score once more; Lexi's Hero may prove a greater danger than form picks Scarlet Rocks and Lord Avon. The last named ran well for a long way last time and deserves credit for the effort as he was unable to dominate. Previously, positive tactics had suited Bill Turner's charge and should he get to the front he may prove hard to pass. His form claims are strong but he is beginning to look exposed. Likewise, Scarlet Rocks has probably achieved the most of these but this will be her 10th try and last time, when beaten into fourth at Bath, she looked in need of a break. With that in mind Leiba Leiba gets the call. Marco Botti's charge is bred to be decent as a half-brother to a Listed sprint winner and got off the mark at the third time of asking at Yarmouth. In truth we learned little about him except that he can get the job done but with confidence boosted and a good draw he can continue his progression. With concerns over the form pair already highlighted it is Lexi's Hero that provides most cause for concern. Kevin Ryan's charge wasn't beaten far behind a very well-regarded type last time and will surely have plenty of use of him made from this draw. Coconut Ice apparently shows up well at home but she wasn't at her best when racing here last time while The Thrill Is Gone looks to have shown her hand already, so we'll return to Leiba Leiba.

Formwatch

Lord Avon 9-2 (9-2) Took keen hold, with leader, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Jamesway (9-5) at Thirsk 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gd.

Leiba Leiba 4-11fav (8-10) Pulled hard, tracked leader, led over 1f out, pushed along and came clear final furlong, easily, won at Yarmouth 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd beating Joe Junior (9-0) by 4l, 9 ran.

Fred Willetts (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Led 2f, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Al Aasifh (9-0) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs.

Lexi's Hero (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Where's Romeo (9-3) at Ayr 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf in May.

The Thrill Is Gone 7-4fav (9-0) Edged left throughout, chased leader, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Lingfield 5f 2yo flls mdn auc stks (5) gs beating Never Can Stop (9-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.

Scarlet Rocks (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Went badly right start, keen soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Jollywood (9-0) at Bath 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gf.

Cruise Racer (IRE) Aussie Rules colt out of Ash Moon.

Triple Agent (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) With leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 19, 5l behind Sweet Cheeks (8-6) at York 6f 2yo sll (4) gd.

Coconut Ice 5-2 (8-5) Tracked leaders and pulled hard, short of room and hampered soon after start, in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Roodee Queen (8-6) at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf.