August 27 / 17.02 Windsor

17.02

Soft

Leger Festival On Sky Sports Racing Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £3672
  • 0m 6f 12y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Leger Festival On Sky Sports Racing Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 57

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
RPR of 79 when beaten under 3l into fifth at Newbury on his debut in June (6.5f, good to soft); less good at Salisbury 17 days ago when racing too freely; still has time to do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(9)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Magical Merlin

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

Continues to edge down the weights, but losing run is up to 19 and the application of a tongue-tie made little difference last time; something to prove on his first attempt over this far.

11/2

4th

3

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Bath

Magical Merlin

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

Ran just four times last season and was runner-up on three occasions (7f/1m, various ground); down the field on reappearance at Kempton (1m, AW) four weeks ago but may have needed that outing and it will be no surprise if he's in the mix; a tongue-tie is added.

7/2

8th

1

(4)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Magical Merlin

9st 9lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

He finished second in three of his four starts in 2025, including on his seasonal return, but was still operating at a level below his old form; drops into 0-70 for the first time; not discounted.

6/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
11,000euros yearling, 32,000euros 2yo; first foal of a 6f 2yo winner (RPR 78), herself from the family of Pipalong; enough appeal on paper to warrant a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(1)

30th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Proverb

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: George Boughey

in rear but in touch with leaders

100/30

5th

5

(1)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:20 York

Proverb

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: George Boughey

Completed a hat-trick over 5f at around this time last year, including a Listed contest at Longchamp; well short of that form in three starts since returning in March, including on handicap debut last time; needs the addition of cheekpieces to bring about a turnaround.

25/1

6th

1

(2)

5th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Proverb

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: George Boughey

slowly into stride, in rear, shaken up and headway when short of room over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

3/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form:

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Eased when beaten at Salisbury on his debut seven weeks ago (7f, good to firm); faces very different conditions today; perhaps one for the longer term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(3)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 6

17:15 Hamilton

Majestic Newlaw

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

raced in second

13/2

5th

2

(4)

21st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:00 Carlisle

Majestic Newlaw

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

took keen hold, held up in rear

8/1

7th

3

(8)

12th Aug 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Ayr

Majestic Newlaw

9st 7lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

12-race maiden who has been campaigned over longer trips since his 2yo campaign; mixed record for new yard and others look safer.

8/1

Form: 22

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very promising debut when second of 13 at Newbury in June (6f, good); too exuberant to post and in the race itself when upped to 1m at Chelmsford last week but he still ran to a useful level; big player back down in trip for a yard who have a lot of winners here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

19th Oct 2022

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Newmarket

Nanga Parbat

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

midfield, bit short of room over 2f out, ridden and headway when in the clear over 1f out, soon ridden and no impression, edged right and beaten final 110yds

25/1

10th

4

(5)

24th Sep 2022

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Nanga Parbat

9st 6lb

J: Dane O’Neill

T: Richard Hannon

towards rear of midfield, weakened from 2f out

9/1

3rd

3

(4)

8th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

14:25 Chepstow

Nanga Parbat

9st 7lb

J: Dane O’Neill

T: Richard Hannon

slowly into stride, soon prominent, pushed along 2f out, outpaced from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
45,000euros yearling; half-sister to five winners, notably French Group 3 winner Shahah (RPR 105); dam an unraced half-sister to Dewhurst winner Grand Lodge; stable's newcomers usually better for a run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(3)

29th Oct 2022

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

16:58 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dakota Elegance

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Brian Meehan

prominent, soon raced in second, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong

13/2

7th

4

(5)

6th Oct 2022

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Dakota Elegance

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Brian Meehan

midfield, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

5/2

3rd

5

(12)

28th Sep 2022

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Dakota Elegance

9st 2lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Brian Meehan

led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong

7/1

20/1

Form: 95

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two runs in 6f maidens this summer, slowly away on first occasion but showing more promise at Nottingham on her second start; further progress required to come out on top.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 6

16:25 Bath

Havechatma

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Dean Ivory

5yo mare who recorded her sixth AW win when scoring at Southwell (5f) last month; record of 0-10 on turf but she's 4lb lower back in this sphere and she ran well for a long way at Windsor in August; not ruled out.

11/2

8

(7)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 6

16:25 Bath

Havechatma

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Dean Ivory

5yo mare who recorded her sixth AW win when scoring at Southwell (5f) last month; record of 0-10 on turf but she's 4lb lower back in this sphere and she ran well for a long way at Windsor in August; not ruled out.

11/2

1st

3

(8)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Havechatma

9st 9lb

J: Jefferson Smith

T: Dean Ivory

Recent form-figures look less than encouraging but she returned from a short break with a respectable fourth at Windsor and then showed up well for a long way over 6f at Lingfield; now returns to the C&D of her last three successes and she's back to her last winning mark; might be the answer.

6/1

Form: 95

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field at Doncaster on her debut in June (6.5f, good); better form when fifth of nine, beaten 3l, in a 7f fillies' novice at Kempton 17 days ago; showed enough speed there to think dropping to 6f would be in range; now tried in a hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

19th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

Bounded clear over C&D to exploit a career-low mark (8lb lower) last month; while that effort has been handsomely advertised by the runner-up Big Narstie, she herself fluffed her lines when a beaten favourite at Newcastle (7f); a tongue-tie is now added.

14/1

9th

1

(2)

20th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 13lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

in touch with leaders on far side of group

5/2

1st

6

(4)

17th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 5lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

started quickly, raced in second, pushed along and pressed leader 3f out, led narrowly 2f out, ridden and went clear over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, easily

16/1

OUR TIP

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
82,000gns yearling; dam Listed-placed over middle distances (RPR 94); stable's fine season showing no signs of losing momentum and the betting should be revealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(11)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:15 Chester

Tobetso

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

Respectable fourth over C&D (good) last month but followed that with a poor run at Doncaster and he effectively refused to race in blinkers (which are quickly discarded) at Beverley a fortnight ago; hard to know what to expect.

28/1

11th

12

(3)

31st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Beverley

Tobetso

8st 8lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Consistency is an issue but he's on a good mark on this year's best, notably a close third at Thirsk in May; blinkers tried for the first time, which could be significant as the only other occasion he's worn headgear resulted in a Brighton win last summer (cheekpieces when trained by W Haggas).

16/1

8th

9

(1)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Tobetso

8st 10lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Hasn't added to last season's two wins (7f/1m, good/good to firm) but ran well when close fourth at Chester (good) last time on first go at this trip, beaten a length despite stumbling early on; interesting.

5/1

33/1

Form: 5

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Just modest form when fifth in a 5f novice at Kempton 19 days ago (50-1); tongue-tie now added but he isn't easily recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(13)

26th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

18:48 Dundalk (AW)

Cuban Grey

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Patrick J McKenna

Has a superior strike-rate on turf and was behind three of these on his last run here in March.

20/1

5th

7

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:32 Navan

Cuban Grey

9st 5lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Six-time winner is 4-22 on turf; last two wins have come at the Curragh but has run well in defeat over this C&D on more than one occasion; shaped well at Bellewstown on penultimate but needs to bounce back from poor Curragh run latest; 2lb above highest winning mark.

10/1

10th

8

(4)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

13:50 Curragh

Cuban Grey

9st 1lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Won this race last year after a Bellewstown second and now bids to follow the same pattern after a good run eight days ago; fair chance that he can reverse Dundalk form with Buddy Batt.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.30
Straight Forecast £17.30
Trifecta £128.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Nanga Parbat

NEWMARKET:

Tobetso

Telegraph:

Proverb

TOPSPEED:

Magical Merlin

The Star:

Tobetso

Daily Record:

Tobetso

Daily Express:

Proverb

The Times:

Magical Merlin

RP Ratings:

Nanga Parbat

POSTDATA:

Nanga Parbat

The Guardian:

Nanga Parbat

Daily Mail:

Nanga Parbat

Daily Mirror:

Nanga Parbat

The Sun:

Nanga Parbat