October 03 / 16.05 Ascot

16.05

Good

BetMGM Noel Murless Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £56710
  • 1m 6f 34y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM Noel Murless Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 611723

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Won two novice events in the spring and a late surge took him to within a nose of victory in Listed race at Hamilton (1m3f, good; unraced on softer) in July; close third of seven in Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York (1m4f, good to firm) in August, coming from the back in something of a tactical race; 1m6f looks within reach and this highly progressive colt is top on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Arabian Force

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Progressed very well as 3yo last term, culminating in his close third in Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York (1m4f, good to firm) in August, until not so good trying 1m6f in Listed race on final outing; always close up and rallied when close second in 1m4f Listed event at Longchamp on reappearance; may well have more to give but it is needed in today's company.

5/1

1

(8)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Arabian Force

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won two novice events in the spring and a late surge took him to within a nose of victory in Listed race at Hamilton (1m3f, good; unraced on softer) in July; close third of seven in Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York (1m4f, good to firm) in August, coming from the back in something of a tactical race; 1m6f looks within reach and this highly progressive colt is top on form.

11/8

3rd

4

(7)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Arabian Force

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won two novice events before advancing his RPR again when seventh of 12 in a 1m2f Group 3 at Royal Ascot, on all on good to firm; a prominent finish looked unlikely 1f out in Listed race at Hamilton (1m3f, good) on latest outing but a late surge took him to within a nose of victory; needs further major improvement but 1m4f beckons strongly.

10/1

Form: 167114

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Moving up to 1m4f brought handicap wins at Newbury (1m4f, good; unraced on softer) and Newcastle (AW; impressive) this summer; creditable third in hat-trick bid in a strong handicap at Haydock (1m6f) four weeks ago; needs to resume his improvement but has a place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:00 Goodwood

Circus Of Rome

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Enjoyed a very good 2025 (three-time 9.5f to 1m4f winner) and he signed off with a good sixth in 1m6f Ascot listed race in October when set a lot to do; hood goes on and can't be ruled out on his seasonal return.

6/1

2

(6)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Circus Of Rome

9st 3lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Moving up to 1m4f brought handicap wins at Newbury (1m4f, good; unraced on softer) and Newcastle (AW; impressive) this summer; creditable third in hat-trick bid in a strong handicap at Haydock (1m6f) four weeks ago; needs to resume his improvement but has a place chance.

14/1

2

(4)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Circus Of Rome

9st 5lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Improved for the step up to 1m4f to win at Newbury in June (1m4f, good; unraced on softer) and subsequently demolished what looked a competitive Racing League handicap at Newcastle (12.4f, AW); hit with 11lb rise for last time but could take it in his stride over a trip that promises to suit.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 314

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Made debut in June; 4-6 winner of a Killarney auction maiden (11.3f, yielding to soft) in July and built on that when fourth of eight in Listed race at Leopardstown (1m6f, good; first-time cheekpieces) six weeks ago; started to make ground all too late in the latter and the headgear is now discarded; lightly raced, with strength in stamina, but big improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

12th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

20:10 Killarney

Defiantly

9st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Highly tried at Listed level last season after winning his maiden here; the concern is a very laboured comeback run on handicap debut at Cork.

4/1

16th

1

(12)

24th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 100y

19:45 Cork

Defiantly

10st 0lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Lightly raced 4yo didn't debut until June last year, winning Killarney auction maiden on second start; contested 1m6f Listed races both subsequent starts, staying on fourth at Leopardstown and never landed a blow when beaten 5.5l at Ascot in October; drops to handicap company for seasonal return and has to be respected.

9/1

3

(3)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Defiantly

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Made debut in June; 4-6 winner of a Killarney auction maiden (11.3f, yielding to soft) in July and built on that when fourth of eight in Listed race at Leopardstown (1m6f, good; first-time cheekpieces) six weeks ago; started to make ground all too late in the latter and the headgear is now discarded; lightly raced, with strength in stamina, but big improvement is needed.

12/1

Form: 331153

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Steady progress in his seven-race career, including winning a maiden and a soft-ground handicap; fifth of 12 in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) and third of ten in a warm handicap at Haydock (1m6f, good) but he's clearly held by fourth-placed Circus Of Rome on today's revised weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Fantasy World

11st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

1m6f Listed winner on Flat who was sold for 600,000gns later in October; flopped at long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh last month; brought out just six days later for Grade 2 at Kempton (again good to soft) where he did better, but was weakening when hampered two out; should get the hang of this discipline in due course, but probably too late to feature in this finish.

66/1

3rd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Kempton

Fantasy World

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

1m6f Listed winner on Flat who changed hands for 600,000gns last autumn; went off long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) last Sunday but compromised his chance by racing freely/jumping none too fluently and could finish only fourth; it's far too soon to be writing him off but he needs a major leap forward just six days on.

12/1

4th

8

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

13:50 Musselburgh

Fantasy World

10st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Progressive on the Flat for Andrew Balding and bagged Listed honours at Ascot (1m6f, good to soft) on last appearance; sold for 600,000gns later in October; withdrawn at Newbury last weekend due to heavy ground; market mover for the Triumph and looks a very interesting hurdles prospect.

4/11

Form: 531812 C BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Progressing well, including three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) this season and he went agonisingly close in the 1m6f Melrose at York on latest outing; all 2025 races have been on good or firmer but he won on soft as 2yo; respected for that improvement but plenty more is needed at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Many Men

9st 6lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Excellent progress last term included three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) in March-July and an agonisingly close call in the Melrose at York in August; close fourth in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot on final outing; well below that form on 2026 reappearance but that may have put him right.

6/1

4th

2

(6)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Many Men

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Excellent progress included three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) last March-July and an agonisingly close call in the Melrose at York in August; close fourth in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot on final outing; better still is required but his record of improvement demands respect.

7/1

5

(2)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Many Men

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Jim Boyle

Progressing well, including three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) this season and he went agonisingly close in the 1m6f Melrose at York on latest outing; all 2025 races have been on good or firmer but he won on soft as 2yo; respected for that improvement but plenty more is needed at this level.

6/1

Form: 350634

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Sole win remains his maiden as 2yo, admittedly appearing mostly in Group races since; gelded before penultimate start but also put in his place since in a Listed race and valuable handicap; hooded today, having tried cheekpieces and blinkers in June; this is a new trip but it's hard to have much confidence in him right now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Nightwalker

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: John & Thady Gosden

Sole win remains his maiden as 2yo, admittedly appearing mostly in Group races since; gelded before penultimate start but also put in his place since in a Listed race and valuable handicap; hooded today, having tried cheekpieces and blinkers in June; this is a new trip but it's hard to have much confidence in him right now.

10/1

4th

1

(1)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:15 Ascot

Nightwalker

9st 9lb

J: Luke Catton

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won for Sir Michael Stoute at two; highly tried since that maiden win and was gelded prior to finishing third of four in a small-field Listed race at Windsor two weeks ago (extended 1m3f); on the verge of becoming a tad disappointing, but this is his handicap debut and he tries soft ground for the first time.

10/1

4

(4)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 1

18:15 Windsor

Nightwalker

8st 13lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

Yarmouth maiden winner (7f, good to firm) for Sir Michael Stoute last September; has been taking on exalted company in his last three starts, including when a far-from-disgraced fifth of 11 in the Dante at York (1m2f, good to firm); gelded since sixth of nine in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm); no surprise if he goes well; no headgear today.

6/1

Form: 1-2212 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Two wins and three seconds from his only five races; justified favouritism in a 1m3f handicap at Glorious Goodwood and launched a strong challenge for valuable handicap at Ascot (1m4f, soft) four weeks ago, drawing nearly 6l clear of the third; 1m6f now looks worth a go and he's one of the leading contenders on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(1)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Push The Limit

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Two wins and three seconds from his only five races; justified favouritism in a 1m3f handicap at Glorious Goodwood and launched a strong challenge for valuable handicap at Ascot (1m4f, soft) four weeks ago, drawing nearly 6l clear of the third; 1m6f now looks worth a go and he's one of the leading contenders on form.

9/4

2nd

2

(5)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:15 Ascot

Push The Limit

9st 4lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Maiden winner who came up shy under penalties but confirmed himself progressive when justifying favouritism in a 1m3f handicap at Glorious Goodwood (good to soft); hit with a 7lb rise but that form has been franked and this colt might well have appreciably more to offer; the one to beat.

15/8

1

(7)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 44y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

Push The Limit

9st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Won at Kempton (1m, AW) last October and reappeared with good seconds in further novice events at Newmarket (1m2f, good) and Carlisle (1m1f, good to soft); needs better on this handicap debut but early days and there's plenty to suggest this longer trip can help.

8/1

Form: 695533

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Heavy-ground 2yo winner who has come up short in various, mostly warm events this season; tried 1m6f twice in the summer but last two starts saw him in blinkers over 1m4f and 1m2f when returned to soft ground; unpersuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Too Soon

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

No win since 2yo, having come up short in Group races, Listed races and four handicaps; fourth of 14 off this mark at Ascot (1m4f) latest was his closest finish in that winless period and he kept on well, so some hope is revived.

14/1

4th

6

(10)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Too Soon

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Largely in good nick last season but winless since 2024 and well held on 1m2f Doncaster reappearance (good to soft) six weeks ago.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £190.40
Straight Forecast £177.09
Trifecta £1174.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Arabian Force

RP RATINGS:

Push The Limit

NEWMARKET:

Nightwalker

Daily Record:

Many Men

TOPSPEED:

Arabian Force

Telegraph:

Arabian Force

D Express:

Arabian Force

Daily Mirror:

Arabian Force

The Sun:

Arabian Force

The Star:

Arabian Force

POSTDATA:

Push The Limit

The Times:

Push The Limit

The Guardian:

Push The Limit

Daily Mail:

Push The Limit