December 07 / 17.30 Wolverhampton (AW)

17.30

Standard

Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3402
  • 1m 1f 104y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

Form: 1

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 11lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Smart pedigree; was well supported before his 1m debut at Newcastle last month and there was plenty to like about the way he came through strongly to lead inside the final furlong; should be open to improvement over this longer trip; good claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(4)

6th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Ayr

Edge Ofthe Unknown

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Record of 0-5 since debut win (AW) and has failed to progress since handicapping; chance depends on how well he reacts to blinkers (replacing cheekpieces worn the last twice).

10/1

9

(10)

7th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

18:15 Doncaster

Edge Ofthe Unknown

8st 10lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Boughey

Won on debut at Newcastle (1m, AW) last November and has produced fair performances in his three handicaps (1m2f-1m4f, AW/good/good to firm), most recently at Thirsk; however, needs something extra today.

16/1

2

(6)

17th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

15:20 Thirsk

Edge Ofthe Unknown

9st 10lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

Made a winning debut at Newcastle (1m, AW) in November but he's not really gone on from that and was only fourth of six on handicap debut at Beverley (1m2f, good; first run since gelded) last month; still early days but he needs improvement with headgear added at this new trip.

6/1

Abandoned

Form: 776

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not yet finished within 9l of the winner in three races at 7f and 6f; gelded since the latest of them in July; most of his relatives have done best at shorter trips than this and either way handicaps look more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(9)

22nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Bath

Antiquity

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Ended a lengthy losing run when scoring at Lingfield (1m, Polytrack) in February; wasn't far off that level in next three runs but his form slumped at Lingfield three weeks ago; only 1lb higher than for last success but he needs to bounce back on this return to turf.

16/1

7th

2

(9)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

17:07 Lingfield (AW)

Antiquity

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Scored off 2lb lower over C&D in February and has remained in good form, most recently when fourth of 15 on turf (8.3f, good) three weeks ago; ought to be on the premises again.

5/1

4th

1

(8)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

16:07 Nottingham

Antiquity

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Won on Polytrack at Lingfield (1m) in February and was fair fifth in a Class 5 event at Wolverhampton last month; remains feasibly treated on his best form and his five turf runs include a win over C&D (good) last April; respected on this drop back in grade.

11/2

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 76

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big prices and not yet shown enough in two AW starts at 7f and about 1m to fancy him for an early novice win, albeit he ran well for a long way over the latter trip here 21 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(6)

2nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Lingfield

Aroof

9st 1lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Mark Loughnane

Unplaced in all eight starts and has only beaten a total of two rivals in two outings on turf; drop in grade needs to make a difference; cheekpieces removed after one use.

14/1

4th

5

(2)

9th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Ffos Las

Aroof

9st 0lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Mark Loughnane

0-7; beaten 16l when beating only one rival home on turf debut at Bath (1m2f, good; hung left); dropped another 2lb and now has cheekpieces applied.

8/1

8th

10

(6)

14th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

15:43 Bath

Aroof

8st 5lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Mark Loughnane

Six-race maiden who has failed to make immediate progress for being gelding; only fifth of nine to Pomme Pomme at Wolverhampton (8.5f), with that rival scoring again since at Chepstow; eases another 2lb, and with a 5lb claimer booked; more required.

10/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
1,000gns yearling; fourth foal; by Make Believe; half-brother to winners Birdman (1m4f/1m5f including Listed; RPR 110) and Manhattanville (6f/7f AW 2yo; 83); dam 1m winner (78); yard's runners not usually fired up on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:25 Lingfield (AW)

Arundel

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ed Dunlop

Very consistent in turf handicaps at up to 1m4f, winning once and runner-up on four other occasions; offered enough to think he's still in form when 2l fourth of six at Newmarket (1m2f) three weeks ago; showed promise on AW at start of his career; ought to be on the premises again.

7/2

4th

3

(6)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Newmarket (July)

Arundel

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ed Dunlop

Consistent 3yo who ran well again in defeat when tried over 1m4f at Thirsk last week; won't mind returning to 1m2f but he's clearly handicapped about right.

4/1

4

(7)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

20:10 Thirsk

Arundel

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Ed Dunlop

Runner-up twice over 1m2f since winning maiden handicap over that trip at Pontefract (good to firm) in May; drops in grade here and has been shaping as though well worth a crack at 1m4f; headgear switched; good chance.

13/8

Form: 96

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
175,000gns breeze-up buy; tongue tied both starts; never involved on 7f debut at Southwell but he raced up with the pace before fading over 1m at Kempton last month; should do better in time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

19:10 Yarmouth

Golden Garden

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

Made all to win a 1m6f handicap at Wolverhampton for Jamie Osborne last September; unplaced in two hurdle runs for this yard but he didn't run badly returned to the Flat at Goodwood 19 days ago (1m6f, good); down in class today and should have a big run in him.

9/2

4th

8

(10)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Goodwood

Golden Garden

8st 13lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

1m6f AW winner for Jamie Osborne but returns to this scene after two heavy defeats over hurdles, the latest after a wind operation; has a bit to prove off this mark even if he's back on song.

16/1

Abandoned

Form: 7233 BF

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
All races at 7f, best form at Epsom in August but things didn't go his way on AW debut here in September when pushed out at the start from widest stall and never well positioned after; bred to stay this far; can improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

28th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 4

16:40 Epsom

Jiffs Army

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Stuart Williams

Brings good stats as he's 2-3 since wearing cheekpieces and gained those wins over C&D (good/good to firm) to take his Epsom record to 2311; respected in the retained headgear.

2/1

4

(2)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 5

16:28 Epsom

Jiffs Army

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Stuart Williams

Took advantage of a reduced mark when scoring over C&D (cheekpieces added) last month but he finished ninth of 12 in his follow-up bid at Brighton; now drops back in grade but he's not easy to predict and comes with risks attached.

13/2

9th

11

(7)

6th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:45 Brighton

Jiffs Army

9st 2lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Stuart Williams

Sole run here wasn't his best at two but that was on soft; resurgent the last twice, a close third (good) followed by a stylish win (also Epsom, 8.5f; good to firm) last month in first-time cheekpieces; seems to love that track which bodes well for Brighton; back up 5lb which looks perfectly fair.

7/1

Form: 5

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam bred Protectionist, who had multiple Group wins, including the Melbourne Cup; fairly easy to back for 1m2f debut at Chelmsford and he ran better than the bare result in fifth of seven; very likely to do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Warwick

Kentucky River

11st 3lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Olly Murphy

Fair Flat racer who won easily over hurdles at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in April, his second handicap; well beaten in valuable Fakenham contest since but back in calmer waters and on a more conventional track here; remains of interest, albeit the forecast rain may not be in his favour.

6/1

9th

12

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Kentucky River

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Fair Flat racer who got off the mark over hurdles with easy success at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month, his second handicap; hiked up 15lb for that but still can't be opposed with much confidence here.

5/1

Abandoned

Form: 3

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
25,000gns breeze-up buy; 12-1 for Southwell debut over 1m in October where there was clear evidence of ability in third to rivals who had already shown up well; can expect better now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(9)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Lingfield (AW)

Perfect Life

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Early promise for Marco Botti, winning a Wolverhampton maiden (8.6f, Tapeta) in December 2024, but well beaten on handicap/turf debut at Sandown (1m2f, good) last April; makes stable debut (same owner) after ten months off; market should be revealing.

7/2

11th

2

(7)

25th Apr 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

16:45 Sandown

Perfect Life

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Marco Botti

Won comfortably in a maiden at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in December and creditable second to Circus Of Rome in a novice there (9.4f; a head in front of Hot Cash) four weeks ago; can still improve but this looks a tough mark for handicap/turf debut.

12/1

11th

2

(7)

25th Apr 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

16:45 Sandown

Perfect Life

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Marco Botti

Won comfortably in a maiden at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in December and creditable second to Circus Of Rome in a novice there (9.4f; a head in front of Hot Cash) four weeks ago; can still improve but this looks a tough mark for handicap/turf debut.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: P57

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big prices and not yet shown enough over 7f and about 1m to be a contender today; handicaps will be more his level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:02 Warwick

Spuddling

11st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

Gained only Flat win in basement-grade classified race; made pretty good start to hurdling career when third at Fontwell (2m1f, good) in September but was soundly beaten there last month and others look stronger.

16/1

3rd

11

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:02 Warwick

Spuddling

11st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

Gained only Flat win in basement-grade classified race; made pretty good start to hurdling career when third at Fontwell (2m1f, good) in September but was soundly beaten there last month and others look stronger.

16/1

Abandoned

Form: 9

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam bred several winners but this one was 150-1 for his 1m debut at Nottingham and he was tailed off; very early days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

10

(13)

18th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton (AW)

Wish Out Loud

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Adrian Wintle

150-1 when tailed off at Nottingham (1m, soft) seven weeks ago; no appeal.

100/1

13th

10

(13)

18th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton (AW)

Wish Out Loud

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Adrian Wintle

150-1 when tailed off at Nottingham (1m, soft) seven weeks ago; no appeal.

100/1

Form: 9

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Blinkered for her recent debut over the extended 1m on this track when never showing with a chance; needs time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(4)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Riviera Song

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: David Loughnane

in rear throughout

50/1

12th

9

(4)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Riviera Song

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: David Loughnane

in rear throughout

50/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
55,000gns yearling; eleventh foal; Masar half-sister to seven winners including Western Aristocrat (7f-1m1f including 2yo/US turf Grade 1) and Zindaya (US 1m turf Grade 2); dam US 1m1f/French 1m2f winner; trainer more than capable of getting them ready first time; market can guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(8)

26th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Zabeel Rain

9st 4lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Charlie Johnston

Bred to be useful but has regressed since her promising debut when third of eight at Kempton (1m, Polytrack) in December; finished last of seven (behind Crackalackin) on handicap debut at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) this month; needs the switch to a visor to bring about a resurgence.

25/1

5th

8

(8)

26th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Zabeel Rain

9st 4lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Charlie Johnston

Bred to be useful but has regressed since her promising debut when third of eight at Kempton (1m, Polytrack) in December; finished last of seven (behind Crackalackin) on handicap debut at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) this month; needs the switch to a visor to bring about a resurgence.

25/1

7th

4

(4)

6th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Zabeel Rain

9st 1lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Third at Kempton (1m, Polytrack) in December was a bit better than her two runs at this track since, the latest over 1m3f; 1m4f+ is likely to suit and she sports cheekpieces for this handicap debut.

12/1

Verdict

Jiff’s Army is better drawn than last time and has achieved more than most but it’s EDGE OFTHE UNKNOWN who makes most appeal, having got his career off to a good start at Newcastle. He should have plenty more to offer. Perfect Life and Kentucky River appeal most of the other once-raced runners, while newcomer Zabeel Rain is a worth a market check despite her wide draw.[Emily Weber]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Edge Ofthe Unknown

POSTDATA:

Kentucky River

Daily Record:

Perfect Life

The Guardian:

Kentucky River

D Express:

Kentucky River

RP RATINGS:

Edge Ofthe Unknown

NEWMARKET:

Edge Ofthe Unknown

The Times:

Edge Ofthe Unknown

Telegraph:

Edge Ofthe Unknown

Daily Mail:

Edge Ofthe Unknown

Daily Mirror:

Edge Ofthe Unknown

The Star:

Edge Ofthe Unknown