Timeform Daily Race Preview: Wednesday, April 8th, Nottingham, 2.00

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 07 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Timeform run the rule over the European Breeders' Fund Novice Stakes (4).

Star Rover made an impressive start at Kempton and is fully expected to defy his penalty for that success. Black Daddy should get closer to him now he's had a run, but bigger threats can arise from Royal Desert and Gillburg, both of whom hail from yards that have made a good start with in the two-year-old division.

Star Rover was an impressive all-the-way winner of a maiden at Kempton on debut, beating Out The Ring by four lengths. He looks an above average early-season two-year-old and is the one to beat despite a 7-lb penalty.

Black Daddy was well supported but too green to do himself justice when well beaten behind Star Rover in a maiden at Kempton. He should have come on in leaps and bounds for that experience, though.

Corporal Haddox is a March foal with quite a speedy pedigree, a sister to useful sprint winner Silver Hotspur (stays a mile), and represents a yard that are capable of having one ready.

Gillburg was born in January so is likely to be better grown than some of these, and is from a yard whose two-year-olds are well forward judging by the few they've had out so far.

Heslington is speedily bred and showed some of that in the Brocklesby at Doncaster on his debut eleven days ago (drawn on disadvantaged side). He should last longer this time with that behind him.

Red Avalanche was very much in need of the experience when soundly beaten in the maiden won by Star Rover at Kempton and, though he should improve on that, it's hard to see him turning the tables.

Royal Desert is closely related to several winners, including at two years, and his yard have already had a couple of winning juveniles. His wide draw won't help but he is worth a check in the betting all the same.

Avec Moi has plenty of speed in her pedigree but hails from a yard whose two-year-olds tends to need time.