May 27 / 15.05 Leicester

15.05

Good To Soft

Filbert Fox EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Filbert Fox EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

8/11 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 21-

Last run: 194 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well-bred colt who holds an Irish Derby entry; not particularly impressive when odds-on winner of Kempton novice (1m, AW) on second start in the autumn, but the form is useful and he's open to considerable improvement over middle-distances this year; hooded first time; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:05 Curragh

Matsuri

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Sea The Stars colt; merely workmanlike when odds-on winner of 1m Kempton AW novice on second start last autumn; justified strong home reputation when powering clear in a 1m2f conditions race at Leicester; had an unusual profile for this race, having never run in a stakes race, but can be rated a serious contender nonetheless.

6/1

1st

1

(9)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Matsuri

9st 10lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

took keen hold, raced wide early, in touch with leaders, raced in second after 3f, going easily 2f out, nudged along to lead over 1f out, went well clear inside final furlong, easily

8/11

1st

1

(9)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Matsuri

9st 10lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

took keen hold, raced wide early, in touch with leaders, raced in second after 3f, going easily 2f out, nudged along to lead over 1f out, went well clear inside final furlong, easily

8/11

7/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 74-

Last run: 248 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a half-sister to a Japanese 1m Group 1 winner; displayed clear promise on both 2yo starts, latterly when fourth of 13 at Kempton (7f, AW) in September; likely to improve this season; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Fox Legacy

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Record of 3-4 this season for new stable includes two wins in major handicaps; took his form to an even higher level with impressive performance in a conditions race at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f, good to soft) on last appearance; one of two Andrew Balding-trained runners who are going into deeper waters but may be capable of further improvement.

20/1

1st

3

(9)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 11y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

Fox Legacy

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won in style at Newmarket (1m1f) in May, first home in the centre group in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m) in June and tidy winner of the valuable John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f) three weeks ago; more to prove on ground softer than good, which he tried four times in previous seasons; going great guns but needs markedly better form to upstage all of today's rivals.

11/2

8

(19)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Fox Legacy

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Won over 1m2f for Sir Michael Stoute and scored in style on his stable and seasonal debut at Newmarket (1m1f, good) in May; first home in the centre group when sixth of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; interesting contender for connections who won this in 2019 and 2021.

9/1

OUR TIP

33/1

  • Place: £8.10

Form: 6-0

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Represents a top stable, but his only 2yo run was disappointing and he finished well down the field when reappearing at Nottingham (8.3f, good to soft) this month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Alentejo

11st 4lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Modest form in three Flat maidens for William Haggas in 2024; best watched on hurdles debut in first-time tongue-tie after huge layoff.

25/1

3rd

2

(3)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Alentejo

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

33/1

3rd

2

(3)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Alentejo

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

33/1

Form: 7-5 BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a half-sister to two Group winners; made quite promising debut when midfield at Newmarket (1m, soft) in the autumn, but was a very disappointing favourite when reappearing over 1m2f this month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(3)

28th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Newmarket (July)

Signalman

8st 13lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Represents major connections; showed improvement at Sandown (1m2f; handicap debut) two weeks ago, rallying towards the finish having been headed under 2f out; clear possibilities off same mark dropped in grade, provided he takes well to first-time headgear.

11/8

4th

9

(1)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

15:50 Sandown

Signalman

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Has failed to build on his 2yo effort in two outings this season; however, may be capable of progress now qualified for handicaps; represents major stable and can't be written off.

6/1

4th

7

(5)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Signalman

9st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

in touch with leaders, disputing third over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
250,000euros yearling; second foal; half-brother to a French 6.5f AW winner; dam ran twice in France, placed 1m/1m1f (RPR 80), half-sister to winners Mekhtaal (1m1f Group 1), Democrate (1m3f Group 2) and Aigue Marine (US 1m3f/1m4f Grade 3); already gelded but worth a glance in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(15)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Kildare Legend

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Only fourth of nine at York (1m4f, good) in July last time but prior to that he was beaten just a neck by Stressfree when making the running here (1m4f, good) in May; effective on soft/good to soft; remains lightly raced and is not written off now back here.

9/1

4th

2

(6)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

15:50 York

Kildare Legend

10st 1lb

J: Shane Foley

T: James Ferguson

Effective on good to soft and good; record of 2-7 and better than ever when putting the pace to the race and just missing out at Haydock two months ago (1m4f); solid contender here off 3lb higher.

5/2

2nd

13

(10)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 2

13:13 Haydock

Kildare Legend

8st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: James Ferguson

All turf starts have been on softer than good; won a Southwell novice last July, followed up in 1m4f handicap at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) and good third of 15 off this mark in valuable 1m4f race at Newmarket; he failed to live up to favouritism at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) on reappearance but wasn't disgraced and, after just six races, may still do better.

7/1

Form: 6-

Last run: 305 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal from a Group-placed 6f 2yo winner; kept on for respectable sixth on debut at Sandown (7f, soft) last summer but we haven't seen him since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(5)

3rd Jul 2024

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Epsom

Atlantic Convoy

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Safely held in two maidens and a novice, absent ten months before his two 1m2f runs this season; showed ability but more is seemingly needed if he's to live up to this opening handicap mark; all runs have been on softer than good; blinkers enlisted.

5/1

7th

4

(2)

15th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

15:50 Sandown

Atlantic Convoy

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Ralph Beckett

took keen hold, prominent, weakened from 2f out

10/1

6th

4

(6)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Atlantic Convoy

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

always behind

8/1

Form: 64

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced when fourth of seven at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) a fortnight ago, her second start, but faces a very tough task here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(5)

12th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

12:25 Southwell (AW)

Sweet Painted Lady

8st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Ivan Furtado

dwelt start, midfield, took keen hold after 1f, dropped to rear from under 4f out, no impression when eased from 2f out

33/1

9th

11

(8)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Sweet Painted Lady

8st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ivan Furtado

Seven-race maiden who has inconsistent form, modest fifth over 1m6f here most recently; chance partly depends on how well she responds to first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

9th

11

(8)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Sweet Painted Lady

8st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ivan Furtado

Seven-race maiden who has inconsistent form, modest fifth over 1m6f here most recently; chance partly depends on how well she responds to first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
350,000gns yearling; first foal; dam French 1m-1m2f winner (including Listed; RPR 106), half-sister to useful 7f 2yo/1m winner Mitraad; looks the part on paper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(3)

19th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 6

12:10 Lingfield (AW)

Biznieta Power

9st 5lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Well beaten in two turf runs in the summer; no match for three rivals with BHA marks of 95, 82 and 78 at Chelmsford last month (1m2f) but it was a better effort and she moves into handicaps with the potential for further progress; bred to be considerably better than this level.

6/1

12th

11

(3)

19th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 6

12:10 Lingfield (AW)

Biznieta Power

9st 5lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Well beaten in two turf runs in the summer; no match for three rivals with BHA marks of 95, 82 and 78 at Chelmsford last month (1m2f) but it was a better effort and she moves into handicaps with the potential for further progress; bred to be considerably better than this level.

6/1

4th

6

(1)

26th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Biznieta Power

9st 2lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

led early, headed and prominent after 1f

33/1

9th
10 (8)
Watfah

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam 1m2f winner (RPR 73), closely related to outstanding miler Palace Pier, half-sister to 1m5f Group 3 winner Castle Way; has good standard to reach on debut but it will be interesting to see how she fares.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(8)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Watfah

8st 13lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Owen Burrows

slowly into stride, always behind

12/1

9th

10

(8)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Watfah

8st 13lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Owen Burrows

First foal; dam 1m2f winner (RPR 73), closely related to outstanding miler Palace Pier, half-sister to 1m5f Group 3 winner Castle Way; has good standard to reach on debut but it will be interesting to see how she fares.

12/1

Non-runners

Always A Star

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.20
Straight Forecast £6.03
Trifecta £113.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Matsuri

TOPSPEED:

Fox Legacy

The Guardian:

Atlantic Convoy

NEWMARKET:

Signalman

RP RATINGS:

Matsuri

POSTDATA:

Matsuri

The Times:

Matsuri

Telegraph:

Matsuri

Daily Mail:

Matsuri

Daily Mirror:

Matsuri

The Star:

Matsuri

Daily Record:

Matsuri

D Express:

Fox Legacy

The Sun:

Atlantic Convoy