Racecards
14:55 Bath
City Motors Renault/E.B.F. Novice Stakes (Class D) (Class D)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 5f 11y
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Form 0321
- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
always prominent, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, no extra when headed final strides
Gee Bee Em
22- Form 214
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey C Catlin
held up in close 4th, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
- Form 621
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey S J Drowne
chased leaders, ridden to press leaders 2f out, led briefly 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, led again final strides
In depth
Verdict
Mick Quinn's Bold Minstrel did well to win form a bad draw at Chester earlier in the month and has to be respected but may struggle to concede weight away all round and preference is for Westbrook Blue, who gets the verdict over Lady Le Quesne. The selection was a highly promising third in the Brocklesby on his debut before going on to win a small race on the Fibresand at Southwell. Not sighted since then, Bill Turner's colt comes here fresher than his rivals. His absence is of little concern as the trainer is capable of producing his horses fit and has his juvenile string in good form at present. He makes more appeal than Mick Channon's course and distance winner Gee Bee Em, who failed to progress when last of four in similar grade at Kempton recently. A bigger threat then may come from Lady Le Quesne. Andrew Balding's filly receives weight from all of her rivals and has progressed with each outing. However, she may find this sharp track against her and preference is for Westbrook Blue.