April 21 / 14.20 Kempton (AW)

14.20

Standard To Slow

Virgin Bet/EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4320
  • 1m 1f 219y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet/EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Frankel colt who made a promising debut (clear third of 14) in 1m maiden here two weeks ago, while shaping as if he'll be suited by this longer distance; respected with progress on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(4)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Ernst Blofeld

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Novice win came here; signed off for the Gosdens with two poor runs but his reappearance run at Newmarket 12 days ago, following a gelding operation, was promising and strongly suggested that the new trip of 1m4f is what he wants; Billy Loughnane, who is 1-2 for the yard, takes over.

7/1

4th

5

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Ernst Blofeld

9st 8lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Form tailed off sharply for the Gosdens but previously looked promising, a novice win at Kempton (AW) in April preceding good handicap debut fourth in valuable London Gold Cup at Newbury (also 1m2f, good to firm) in May; didn't run at two and has been gelded, so not one to dismiss on this return for new yard.

10/1

14th

11

(3)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Ernst Blofeld

9st 0lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: John & Thady Gosden

Headstrong and well beaten in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) in first-time cheekpieces (retained); however, he was trapped wide and before that he was a good fourth off this mark in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm), which was strong form; not written off.

16/1

2nd
4 (11)
Ammes

14/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 4-

Last run: 165 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to a five-time AW scorer; duly showed ability with his 2l fourth at Chelmsford (1m2f) in sole 2yo start; open to improvement this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 3

16:30 Redcar

Ammes

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: James Owen

Caught wide when down the field at Lingfield in February on last Flat start and when well beaten over hurdles on his last two runs he was contesting hot 4yo races; on a competitive mark on last summer's Flat form and he was a Listed hurdle runner-up in October; not ruled out back in this code.

6/1

7th

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Ammes

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Good Flat horse who won his first two starts over hurdles before a close second behind Minella Study in a Listed race at Wetherby (2m, good) in October; still has potential in this sphere but he was only 12th in the juvenile handicap at Cheltenham last month and needs to resume his progress in this tough race; visor added.

25/1

12th

14

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Ammes

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Good Flat horse before embarking on hurdling career and his odds-on defeat to Triumph contender Minella Study at Wetherby in October (Listed; good) doesn't look too shoddy now given the winner's subsequent exploits; appears to have been saved for this since and last month's run on the AW (sixth) should have cleared the pipes; good ground seems his preference but effective on good to soft.

15/2

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 62-

Last run: 215 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hung under pressure at Sandown (1m) when last seen but stuck on well towards the finish and the form received a big boost at Newmarket last week; major player provided he takes well to cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:30 Huntingdon

Sword Of Wessex

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Odds-on winner over nearly 1m4f at Yarmouth (good) last month and ran okay on faster ground at Leicester (both runs in a visor); he's been found a very winnable race for his hurdle debut.

6/5

4th

1

(4)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

18:55 Leicester

Sword Of Wessex

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Finally got off the mark (headgear change) in four-runner Yarmouth handicap (11.5f) 11 days ago; up 4lb but could have more to offer for his current yard.

2/1

1st

2

(2)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:57 Yarmouth

Sword Of Wessex

9st 6lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: James Owen

0-8 for Charlie Fellowes; four runs for current yard, the pick when a close fifth over 1m5f at Lingfield (AW) three runs back; pretty poor since and he's now had lots of chances over various distances.

9/4

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
95,000gns yearling; by Sea The Moon and sibling to three winners, notably Aleas (1m-1m3f including AW/Listed; 110); dam 1m 2yo Group 3 scorer (104) from smart family; check the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(2)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

16:23 Bath

Criminal

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

11-race maiden who returned to form with a near-miss over 1m2f on the AW 14 days ago, despite being slow to break; first-time headgear might do something for him; effective on grass.

5/2

2nd

3

(8)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

19:20 Lingfield (AW)

Criminal

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Ten-race maiden and out of sorts so far this year; had little chance the way the race panned out in a 1m handicap here two weeks ago but he was keeping on well at the finish, boding well for today's return to 1m2f; drops in class too and he's of interest.

4/1

8th

11

(12)

14th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

18:30 Lingfield (AW)

Criminal

9st 1lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Three poor efforts this year and the handicapper's proving slow to relent; this the shortest trip he's tackled, round an easy course (no problem with 1m4f last year), and he isn't obviously fancied from yet another wide stall.

20/1

20/1

Form: 27- BF

Last run: 138 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Slowly away in both 2yo runs (1m, AW) and doubly hindered his chance by pulling hard here latest; however, went close at Lingfield and may yet confirm that promise; dam's side gives optimism for 1m2f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Sandown

Padua

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hughie Morrison

Close fourth on handicap debut at Kempton (7f, AW) in June and this headstrong sort benefited from the drop in trip to make all at Haydock (7f, good) last time; unexposed and could take a 4lb rise in his stride.

3/1

1st

6

(3)

19th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

20:00 Haydock

Padua

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hughie Morrison

All four runs have been on the AW, finishing second in a novice on Lingfield debut (1m) and close fourth last time in a Kempton handicap (1m); quite interesting on turf debut but drop to 7f may not be ideal.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
170,000euros yearling; Lope De Vega half-brother to three winners, notably Ancient Wisdom (7f-1m5f including 2yo Group 1; RPR 114); dam 12.5f Group 3 scorer; wears tongue-tie on debut; market helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(5)

4th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:55 Nottingham

Spanish Train

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Late foal; 170,000euros yearling; 12-1, fair form in midfield for novice at Kempton (1m2f, AW; tongue tied) in April, running on but never dangerous; that's not the best form in this field but he looks sure to improve.

8/1

2nd

6

(5)

4th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:55 Nottingham

Spanish Train

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Late foal; 170,000euros yearling; 12-1, fair form in midfield for novice at Kempton (1m2f, AW; tongue tied) in April, running on but never dangerous; that's not the best form in this field but he looks sure to improve.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
65,000euros foal; Saxon Warrior half-brother to two winners, notably Wohileh (1m4f AW; RPR 82); dam unraced daughter of 1,000 Guineas winner; major stable; heed the market signals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Warrior King

10st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Progressive at ordinary level on the Flat last year, winning at Kempton (2m, AW) in October; however, well beaten on hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December and needs to be a different proposition today.

66/1

6

(2)

15th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Warrior King

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Charlton

Only made his debut in April and ran his best race yet when beaten less than a length into second of nine over C&D last month; just 1lb higher and remains open to further progress as a stayer; shortlisted.

3/1

2nd

7

(9)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Warrior King

8st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Harry Charlton

Disappointing start to his handicap career with cheekpieces added when last of seven at Ffos Las (1m4f) five weeks ago; the headgear is quickly discarded now stepping up significantly in trip.

5/1

50/1

Form: 5

Last run: 91 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only fifth of six, running to a modest RPR, at Kempton (1m3f) in sole outing for Ollie Sangster; still with same owner; hood applied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(11)

1st May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Yarmouth

Romance In Rome

8st 12lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Keady

Has produced two moderate efforts at Kempton (1m3f and 1m2f, AW); much more needed.

100/1

12th

12

(11)

1st May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Yarmouth

Romance In Rome

8st 12lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Keady

Has produced two moderate efforts at Kempton (1m3f and 1m2f, AW); much more needed.

100/1

8th

14

(14)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 5

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Romance In Rome

8st 8lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Keady

took keen hold, midfield, weakened from over 2f out

50/1

Form: 57

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice-raced gelding who needs improvement on bare figures and is likely to be more interesting in handicaps shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(4)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

16:30 Haydock

Too Darn Seanie

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ed Dunlop

No impact in three qualifying runs over 1m2f this spring but the type to come into his own now handicapping up in trip (dam won Lancashire Oaks over C&D).

10/1

6th

2

(4)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

16:30 Haydock

Too Darn Seanie

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ed Dunlop

No impact in three qualifying runs over 1m2f this spring but the type to come into his own now handicapping up in trip (dam won Lancashire Oaks over C&D).

10/1

9th

11

(7)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 5

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Too Darn Seanie

8st 13lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Ed Dunlop

towards rear and raced wide early, no impression

66/1

25/1

Form: 5-

Last run: 151 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Closely related to a four-time AW scorer; duly showed some ability (fifth over 8.5f) at Wolverhampton in sole 2yo run; open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(1)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Holy Smoker

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: William Knight

Out of the frame in all six starts and her five outings this year have been particularly modest; will need the new headgear combination to make a big difference.

33/1

10th

7

(6)

15th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Holy Smoker

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Knight

Beaten a long way in four runs this year, latterly when not looking to see out 1m4f at Newmarket; dropped another 5lb but not easy to find any positives back from a short break.

16/1

7th

7

(4)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:57 Newmarket (July)

Holy Smoker

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Knight

Decent debut but subsequent struggles continued when a remote fourth on handicap debut at Leicester (1m2f; 16-1); raised in trip here but has a lot to prove now.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat debutant who holds modest claims on his bumper form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(9)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Senor Cortez

9st 6lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Butler

Scored twice (1m6f/2m) for Darryll Holland last August and made an encouraging start for his new yard when third on Lingfield AW in March; however, tailed off back on turf (which should have been okay) one month ago.

16/1

5th

5

(1)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Senor Cortez

9st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John Butler

Scored twice (1m6f/2m) for Darryll Holland last August and made an encouraging start for his new yard when third to St Faz on Lingfield AW five weeks ago; the first of those wins was impressive over 1m6f on good to firm and he's one to consider despite today's 15lb higher mark.

6/1

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two of her four bumper runs but hasn't shown enough to think she'll figure highly in this field on Flat debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

19:10 Exeter

Celtic Queen

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Tim Vaughan

Best finish came when a close second in a good-ground Hereford bumper on debut; peak effort came in a subsequent Wetherby maiden bumper (soft); respectable effort when 11l third on handicap debut at Hereford (2m, good) latest; drops 3lb; each-way player.

5/2

3rd

5

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:37 Hereford

Celtic Queen

11st 7lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Tim Vaughan

Fair form shown in bumpers but she's yet to match that level in three hurdling runs, seventh of 12 in 2m Leicester novice in January; she could still do better now going handicapping after a break.

14/1

7th

13

20th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

14:32 Leicester

Celtic Queen

11st 1lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Tim Vaughan

Placed in two of her four bumpers last season (good/soft) and wasn't beaten far on either hurdling start last month (2m, soft/good to soft) but needs to improve to land a telling blow here.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
900,000gns yearling; by Frankel and sibling to five winners, notably Alkandora (French 10.5f Listed; RPR 107); useful dam is out of 1m4f Group 2 scorer; powerful yard; interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Warwick

Modern Style

10st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Nigel Hawke

Launched handicap career with two comfortable wins on good ground (2m/2m3f; unraced on ground any slower) in April, and ran well in defeat at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month; back up in trip here and probably still on the upgrade; must be considered.

9/4

2nd

6

16th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:30 Uttoxeter

Modern Style

11st 1lb

J: James Best

T: Nigel Hawke

On a hat-trick having won novice handicaps at Exeter (2m, good) and Taunton (2m3f, good) last month; up 14lb (7lb for last win) but should be competitive again.

2/1

1st

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

19:30 Taunton

Modern Style

10st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Nigel Hawke

Well-bred 4yo who improved markedly switched to handicaps when a wide-margin winner at Exeter (extended 2m, good) five days ago; the manner of the win suggests there's more to come; faces a quick turnaround and stamina to prove up in trip, but he looks well treated under a penalty and is the one to beat.

4/5

OUR TIP

11/4

Form: 41/ D

Last run: 544 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Absent since recording a useful RPR with emphatic success over 1m2f at Newmarket 18 months ago (second start); gelded during his time off; leading contender provided he returns in the same form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:41 Worcester

Anzac Day

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

1m2f Flat winner (soft) but has only made the track four times since that success for Andrew Balding in October 2023; has changed hands since beaten a distance at Ffos Las last September; looks best watched unless market vibes are strong.

6/1

1

(4)

9th Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Ffos Las

Anzac Day

10st 1lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Landed a Newmarket maiden (1m2f, soft) in October 2023, but missed the whole of last year; fair efforts in first two starts after returning in April, but not so good at Chelmsford (2m, AW) in July; off another ten weeks since and others come into this in better form.

8/1

4

(12)

1st Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Anzac Day

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Lightly raced 4yo who missed last season; latest effort suggests this step up to 2m will suit; registered a useful win (RPR 99) as a 2yo and is interesting off current mark with a resurgent display plausible.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.70
Straight Forecast £18.10
Trifecta £133.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ernst Blofeld

LAMBOURN:

Spanish Train

The Guardian:

Anzac Day

Daily Mirror:

Modern Style

Telegraph:

Sword Of Wessex

The Times:

Spanish Train

RP RATINGS:

Ernst Blofeld

POSTDATA:

Ernst Blofeld

NEWMARKET:

Ernst Blofeld

D Express:

Ernst Blofeld

The Sun:

Ernst Blofeld

The Star:

Ernst Blofeld

Daily Record:

Ernst Blofeld

Daily Mail:

Anzac Day