July 31 / 18.25 Epsom

18.25

Good

Sporting Times Sri Lanka EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands C And D) (EBF Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5400
  • 0m 7f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
RTV
View Course
Sporting Times Sri Lanka EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands C And D) (EBF Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 427

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Had Norfolk Blue behind when runner-up at Windsor before finishing midfield in a traditionally strong maiden at Newmarket's July meeting (first-time tongue-tie); did drop away quite tamely last time after racing prominently but this is much weaker.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(7)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Hengroin

9st 0lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Barely needed to improve to justify odds-on favouritism in a 7f novice at Epsom three weeks ago (good to soft); makes his nursery debut in a warm race and improvement looks essential.

16/1

1

(6)

31st Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

18:25 Epsom

Hengroin

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Owen Burrows

Had Norfolk Blue behind when runner-up at Windsor before finishing midfield in a traditionally strong maiden at Newmarket's July meeting (first-time tongue-tie); did drop away quite tamely last time after racing prominently but this is much weaker.

Evs

8

(9)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Newmarket (July)

Hengroin

9st 2lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Has run well over 5f and 6f, latterly at Windsor behind a good prospect who probably failed to do himself justice in the Coventry; this colt is useful, has experience and now goes in a tongue-tie; could have a role to play.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
16-1 and never got involved at Kempton a month ago (7f); likely up against it here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(4)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Mamba Rocket

9st 5lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

Minor form in 7f events on Kempton AW and at Epsom; seems unlikely to find the major improvement needed for first-time cheekpieces and handicaps will be a better fit shortly.

33/1

2

(2)

31st Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

18:25 Epsom

Mamba Rocket

9st 7lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

16-1 and never got involved at Kempton a month ago (7f); likely up against it here.

20/1

1

(13)

25th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Mamba Rocket

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

26,000euros yearling; first foal; dam 7f winner (RPR 83), sister to winners Mr Rumbalicious (2m Flat/2m1f hurdle) and Eye For An Eye (Australian 8.5f); already gelded; drawn wide; trainer yet to strike with 2yos this year; worth noting in relation to stablemate Galileo Island.

12/1

Form: 82

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Behind Hengroin on debut but improved for the hood when a clear second at Lingfield (7f, good to soft) and the winner is useful; could make it interesting with his former rival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(1)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 5

16:36 Brighton

Norfolk Blue

9st 7lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: William Knight

Had plenty of chances with him now 0-11 but he brings the best form and cheekpieces are back on after flirting with a visor last time.

4/7

5th

9

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 5

16:09 Haydock

Norfolk Blue

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: William Knight

Ten-race maiden but he's knocking at the door, short of room when second of six at Sandown (7f, good to firm) on most recent outing; Oisin Murphy is a positive booking and the first-time visor could be an extra boost; high on the list.

11/2

2nd

5

(4)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:05 Sandown

Norfolk Blue

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Knight

0-9 but twice runner-up and latest race at Ffos Las didn't suit his hold-up style; there's a race in him off this mark.

11/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
15,000gns yearling; third foal; brother to 6f/7f AW winner Tennessee Dream (RPR 65); dam 6f/7f winner (Listed; 95), out of twice-raced half-sister to 5f Group 1 winner Prohibit and Listed winners Prior Warning (6f/6.5f) and Emergency (7f); makes sense to check the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(10)

25th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Champagne Dream

9st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Dylan Cunha

Placed on each of three starts, most recently over this C&D (fourth won next time); blinkers fitted for handicap debut but could have been better drawn.

6/1

3rd

2

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Champagne Dream

9st 7lb

J: Kyle Strydom

T: Dylan Cunha

Has shown some ability with his couple of third-place finishes at Epsom (7f); may show improvement switched to this sphere, being a brother to a triple AW winner; interesting contender.

5/1

2

(3)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

14:10 Epsom

Champagne Dream

9st 5lb

J: Kyle Strydom

T: Dylan Cunha

15,000gns yearling; ran well for a long way when third of six on C&D debut (good to soft) last month, but he has plenty to find in this stronger race and could be one for further down the line.

10/1

Form: 62

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gelded since chasing home a Charlie Johnston odds-on favourite who made all at Chelmsford (7f); that represented improvement on his debut effort but likely to need more again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(10)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

14:15 Newcastle (AW)

Parole Officer

9st 7lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ewan Whillans

Fair and consistent 7f/1m maiden at two for Sean Woods; yet to show that form for his current stable, though better signs with sixth of 12 in 1m2f Ayr handicap 23 days ago; needs to build on it.

20/1

6th

12

(8)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Parole Officer

8st 12lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

11-race maiden who has finished well down the field on all three appearances this season, most recently when 100-1 over C&D (good; first-time cheekpieces) last month.

40/1

11th

12

(9)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Parole Officer

9st 2lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Ran quite well in AW nursery on stable debut in November but was well beaten twice on turf in the spring (1m/8.3f); moves up in trip with cheekpieces tried here; others have much less to prove.

50/1

Form: 86

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 18l at Leicester and about half that at Doncaster (again over 7f); handicaps will be more realistic.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(5)

26th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

16:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Smoker Bellamy

9st 0lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland

0-10 but has run well lately as when third of ten in a 0-55 handicap at Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) last time; this trip may be as far as he wants, but he holds each-way claims nonetheless.

9/2

3rd

8

(7)

23rd Jul 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:21 Southwell (AW)

Smoker Bellamy

9st 2lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

In the frame three times since leaving maiden and novice company, including in 1m4f classified on Lingfield AW recently; this slightly shorter trip could help back on Tapeta but more needed; cheekpieces refitted.

7/1

4th

14

(8)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Lingfield (AW)

Smoker Bellamy

8st 11lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Eight-race maiden; second in Wolverhampton handicap (9.4f) on seasonal debut in April and put two lesser efforts behind him when sixth there (8.6f) last month but needs to find something extra over this new trip; wore blinkers or cheekpieces for last five races but goes without headgear today.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.00
Straight Forecast £8.66
Trifecta £31.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Norfolk Blue

SPOTLIGHT:

Hengroin

TOPSPEED:

Hengroin

The Times:

Hengroin

Daily Mail:

Hengroin

D Express:

Hengroin

The Sun:

Hengroin

POSTDATA:

Norfolk Blue

Telegraph:

Norfolk Blue

The Guardian:

Norfolk Blue

Daily Mirror:

Norfolk Blue

The Star:

Norfolk Blue

Daily Record:

Norfolk Blue