July 22 / 19.30 Haydock

19.30

Soft

Marcus Dunning Big 60th EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5400
  • 0m 6f 212y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Marcus Dunning Big 60th EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 54

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked to need his debut experience over C&D but didn't fare any better last time; faces different ground tonight and needs to improve for it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

3

(5)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Paladin

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin Frost

Free-going sort who was 4-18 for Charlie Johnston, including two 1m wins last summer, and made a winning start for new connections when 33-1 for a nine-runner race at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in January; absent since and has more to prove back at 7f for the first time since 2024.

20/1

1st

6

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Paladin

9st 4lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin Frost

Record of 4-18 for Charlie Johnston and was second at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) on his penultimate run for that yard; returns after three months off but he's still lightly raced on AW and needs watching in market on stable debut.

12/1

5th

4

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Paladin

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

Southwell winner (1m, Tapeta) late last year and has twice won on turf (1m, good to firm) since returning from six months off in June; ran well to finish second of 13 back at Southwell (1m) a fortnight ago and much respected despite a 2lb rise.

3/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 8

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
82,000gns 2yo who's a half-brother to three winners; easy to back and didn't offer any immediate promise when well held on his fast-ground C&D debut last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:02 Pontefract

Sea The Dream

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Successful over 7f at Thirsk (heavy) and Catterick (good to soft) this term; good third off this mark in 1m AW contest most recently; solid contender back on turf.

6/1

3rd

5

(1)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

17:25 Southwell (AW)

Sea The Dream

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Two wins on turf this year, at Thirsk (7f, heavy) in April and at Catterick (7f, good to soft) in June; ran well when third of eight in his only previous AW start at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) in August last year, but still to fully convince over this far.

4/1

5th

11

(3)

5th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

19:53 Haydock

Sea The Dream

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Improved form since being gelded and he made it 2-4 this season when justifying favouritism at Catterick (7f, good to soft) 17 days ago; that was a last-gasp success but he reeled in a progressive rival and a 4lb rise looks fair enough; respected.

3/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gelded 90,000gns yearling who holds a sales race entry in the autumn and is out of an unraced sister to a 7f 2yo winner; yard's strike-rate with juveniles is up this season and the market will guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Ripon

Mannerism

9st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

squeezed out start, in rear

5/1

5th

5

(9)

7th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 4

15:30 Haydock

Mannerism

9st 2lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Close third here (7f, soft) on debut in July and fifth of eight over today's C&D (good) last month in a race that has worked out well; seemingly has his limitations but can give another good account.

12/1

5th

4

(1)

11th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 4

18:15 Haydock

Mannerism

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: K R Burke

Slowly away and came under early pressure before keeping on for close third on last month's debut here (7f, soft); could have learnt from that experience and the step up to 1m looks the right move; he's one to consider.

9/2

4th
3 (10)
Ice Max

9/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
105,000gns yearling who holds a couple of notable entries; useful brother Steady Pace won first time out as a 2yo (and 3yo), while half-sister Dark Image also won on debut (bumper); is an interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(4)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Ice Max

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Won the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in 2024; creditable third, faring best of the runners who came off steady pace, in Group 2 at Chester (good) upped to 1m2f last time; unexposed at this distance and enters calculations despite carrying a 3lb penalty for Listed success (1m, soft) last autumn.

7/2

3rd

3

(3)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Ice Max

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a pair of 1m victories, the latest in a Nottingham Listed event (soft); not totally disgraced when fifth of eight in a Group 3 at Dusseldorf (1m, heavy) on last month's return, but that does indicate his limitations; races beyond an extended 1m for the first time; stable also runs Royal Rhyme.

20/1

OUR TIP

9/4

Form: 5

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
14,500gns foal, 57,000gns yearling, 150,000gns 2yo; well backed ahead of debut late last month (6f), only to blow the start and look in need of the experience; evidently felt capable of better and will have learned from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(1)

7th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ajwadi

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Improved effort when winning a 6f maiden at Pontefract last month, his first run without soft in the going description; failed to build on it at York two weeks ago (7f) but this is less demanding and he still has some potential; AW debut.

10/1

19th

14

(15)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Ajwadi

8st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Progressive, striking at the third time of asking when leading towards the finish over 6f at Pontefract (good) 15 days ago; could be more to come now handicapping and completes a strong hand in this race for his trainer.

7/1

1st

1

(1)

9th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Pontefract

Ajwadi

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

prominent, ridden and switched right over 1f out, kept on well and led towards finish

11/2

6th
8 (3)
Varden

10/1

Form:

Last run: 65 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Single-figure price for his York debut (good to firm) in May but missed the break, was soon pushed along and hung left from halfway; goes up in trip on different ground tonight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(2)

27th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

14:05 Redcar

Varden

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Kevin Ryan

Finished last on debut in a York maiden (6f, good to firm) in May; much better effort when showing promise at Haydock (7f, soft) next time; perhaps didn't handle Chester latest; cheekpieces swapped for blinkers and no surprise if he bounces back, now returned to 6f on nursery debut.

10/1

8th

10

(9)

2nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

14:10 Chester

Varden

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Missed the break when last to finish on York debut and then got hampered at the start at Haydock (showed more); unlikely that he's done himself justice to date and he now goes in cheekpieces; the owner also has Infinity Blue.

10/1

6th

8

(3)

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

19:30 Haydock

Varden

9st 7lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

swerved sharply right start

10/1

8/1

Form: 6

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Started the bigger price of his trainer's pair (behind the winner) on his C&D debut this month, when slowly away and in need of the experience; should do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

17:58 Hexham

Veer

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

Maiden stayer on the Flat for Charlie Fellowes; 8,000gns purchase in November; 2.75l third to Pergamon (3lb worse off) at Kelso on second run over hurdles last time (2m, good); each-way chance.

14/1

3rd

4

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:13 Kelso

Veer

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

0-10 (modest form) on the Flat for Charlie Fellowes and tailed-off fourth of six at Market Rasen (2m, good; 66-1) recently on switch to hurdling

66/1

3rd

4

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:13 Kelso

Veer

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

0-10 (modest form) on the Flat for Charlie Fellowes and tailed-off fourth of six at Market Rasen (2m, good; 66-1) recently on switch to hurdling

66/1

100/1

Form: 08

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Huge prices for two runs this month, finishing a remote last on each occasion.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(5)

26th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Darkest Mile

9st 2lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Lisa Williamson

Has shown very little in her five runs and has finished tailed off in both handicaps (7f/1m); has lots to prove now upped to 1m4f and she can only be watched.

50/1

8th

8

(4)

2nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Darkest Mile

9st 0lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Lisa Williamson

Has had little racing but not yet shown anything, at sprint trips and when upped to 7f on her handicap debut at Chester in August; all to prove on AW debut after layoff.

50/1

9th

10

(5)

6th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

14:30 Chester

Darkest Mile

8st 2lb

J: Elisha Whittington

T: Lisa Williamson

Huge prices and beaten a very long way in three starts over 5f-7f last month; similar scenario likely on nursery debut.

66/1

Form:

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stable better known for older horses and this one ran as the market anticipated on debut (125-1), finishing a remote last of ten.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(11)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

First Encounter

9st 5lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: John Gallagher

Hit form, winning classified contests at Wolverhampton (8.5f) and Lingfield (1m) earlier this year; not far off those levels when last seen at Wolverhampton (sixth) two months ago; possible player on first visit to Newcastle with the promising Conor Whiteley booked.

13/2

6th

7

(2)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Encounter

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

His options have improved since eligible for classified events and he's 2-3 at that level of late, over C&D and 1m at Lingfield; needs more back in a handicap.

7/2

1st

2

(4)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:12 Lingfield (AW)

First Encounter

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

Successful in this grade at Wolverhampton last month (8.6f) and backed it up with a solid C&D second two weeks ago; no obvious reason why he wouldn't be in the thick of the action once again.

2/1

Non-runners

Try Line

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.50
Straight Forecast £21.09
Trifecta £173.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ajwadi

The Times:

Ice Max

POSTDATA:

Paladin

Telegraph:

Mannerism

Daily Mail:

Ajwadi

D Express:

Ajwadi

The Sun:

Ajwadi

The Star:

Ajwadi

The Guardian:

Ice Max

Daily Mirror:

Ice Max

Daily Record:

Ice Max