December 10 / 13.44 Newcastle (AW)

13.44

Standard To Slow

Talksport Download The App EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3672
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Talksport Download The App EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Snow showers

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
230,000gns yearling who finished well beaten on his Newbury debut (1m, soft; 9-1) in October; represents a top yard, but improvement is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(10)

26th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Nottingham

Alhambra Palace

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

dwelt start, took keen hold, in rear, headway from 3f out, hung left but went second against far rail over 1f out, kept on, just held

7/4

5th

13

(11)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Alhambra Palace

8st 3lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Runner-up at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) last month on second handicap start and has won his next two (1m4f/1m6f, good to soft/heavy); has travelled really well for those wins and he could have more left in the tank for trainer who has won two of the last four runnings (also saddles Lordship).

13/2

1st

7

(4)

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:27 Sandown

Alhambra Palace

9st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: William Haggas

Has improved plenty since handicapping, getting off the mark by nearly 5l at Ascot (1m4f, good to soft) last Friday; has a good chance of staying the longer trip on breeding and 6lb penalty is unlikely to stop him if he's in the same form.

8/13

Form: 07

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in two starts over 1m on turf/Polytrack in the autumn; bred to be better than he has shown, but handicaps may see him in a better light after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Book Of Tales

11st 6lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Largely consistent 5yo who bumped into a very well handicapped rival when clear second at Huntingdon (2m, good) in April; not quite in same form at Aintree the following month and not yet proven over this far but still considered.

12/1

9

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Book Of Tales

11st 6lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Largely consistent 5yo who bumped into a very well handicapped rival when clear second at Huntingdon (2m, good) in April; not quite in same form at Aintree the following month and not yet proven over this far but still considered.

12/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
210,000euros yearling; brother to 1m 2yo winner Mystical Dawn (RPR 97), half-brother to 7f/1m AW winner Dark Kris (76); dam 1m-1m2f winner (102), closely related to dam of Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment, half-sister to 1m2f/1m4f Group 2 winner; makes some appeal on pedigree and worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Cosmic Soul

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Neville

Kickstarted 2026 with a Flat success at Southwell and he's bagged back-to-back handicaps here since, readily landing the odds over C&D 13 days ago; hiked up 10lb now but thriving and still the one to beat.

11/8

1st

5

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:10 Sedgefield

Cosmic Soul

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Neville

Won on the Flat at Southwell (2m, AW) in January and followed up here (2m1f, good) last Tuesday, which was his second run in a handicap hurdle; escapes a penalty for that recent win and there can be considerable optimism that he'll be suited by this step up in trip; could be tough to beat.

5/4

1st

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:38 Sedgefield

Cosmic Soul

11st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Neville

Runner-up to a dual subsequent winner on handicap hurdle debut at Perth (2m, good) in September and reverts to this discipline after clearcut 2m AW win in January; could still have untapped potential over jumps; must be considered.

4/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam French 6.5f 2yo/8.5f AW winner (RPR 97), half-sister to useful UAE 7f 2yo/9.5f dirt winner Manguzi and French 7f turf 2yo/7.5f AW winner Matara out of unraced close relative of 6f 2yo Group 1 winner Myboycharlie; stable has the occasional winning newcomer so worth a market glance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(4)

6th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

16:30 Ascot

El Jasor

9st 3lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Has an all-or-nothing profile since handicapping, having scored twice (1m2f/1m4f) and been a disappointing favourite twice; could easily bounce back, provided he's suited by this new trip.

7/2

6th

9

(6)

14th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 3

16:45 Doncaster

El Jasor

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Fellowes

Son of Le Havre who displayed a good attitude when landing 1m4f Newbury handicap 26 days ago; he appeals as the sort to do better still so merits serious consideration in first-time cheekpices.

3/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo

OR:

Form & Verdict
125,000gns yearling; brother to 1m2f AW winner Poetic Legacy (RPR 62), half-brother to six winners including Dylan Mouth (8.5f-1m6f including at 2/Italian Group 1; 116) & Henry Mouth (10.5f/1m4f including Italian Listed; 108); dam 7f-1m3f winner (including 1m2f Group 3; 107); stable can get them ready first time and enough in his pedigree to make him of interest; well worth monitoring in the mearket.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Abandoned

Form: 6

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo

OR:

Form & Verdict
400,000gns yearling who finished sixth of 13 on his Kempton debut (1m, Polytrack; 15-2) last month, but that was a better effort than it looked as he endured a wide trip from the outside stall; looks capable of better especially given his pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
125-1 when a well-beaten last of 12 on his debut here (1m2f) last month; probably needs more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(9)

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

13:25 Thirsk

London Legend

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ann Duffield

fractious at the post, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, raced slightly wide but went second after 1f

100/1

12th

7

(5)

11th Nov 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

14:45 Newcastle (AW)

London Legend

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ann Duffield

never better than mid-division

50/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
$65,000 yearling, 100,000euros breeze-up purchase in May; half-brother to three winners including Melendez (1m AW; RPR 82) and Superduper Sky (US/Canada 5.5f-1m including dirt); dam US 1m/8.3f dirt winner, out of US 6f-7f stakes winning half-sister to US 1m1f Grade 3 winner Lines Of Beauty; stable more than capable of getting them ready first time and the market should be revealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(9)

16th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Open Choice

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Maiden who's had valid excuses since headgear went on and is 3lb lower back from a two-month break; sat close to a strong pace down to 1m last time and holds claims in an open handicap.

7/1

6th

9

(4)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

13:30 Southwell (AW)

Open Choice

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Six-race maiden who has some encouraging form on the Tapeta at Newcastle, most recently shaping better than the bare result over 1m2f last week (made a challenge before fading late on); looks open to improvement back down in distance; interesting.

10/1

0

4

(12)

1st Jan 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

14:35 Newcastle (AW)

Open Choice

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Edward Bethell

raced in second

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
150,000gns yearling; half-brother to winners New Kingdom (1m 2yo/7f; RPR 107) and Cruyff Turn (7f-1m; 107); dam Listed-placed 7f-1m winner (107), half-sister to 1m Group 1 winner Integral out of 1m Group 1 winning half-sister to 1m Group 2 winner Chic; attractive pedigree and entered in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but would be a rare winning 2yo newcomer from the yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(11)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Paddy The Squire

9st 10lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Iain Jardine

Short-headed on 2024 reappearance and won it last year; thrived last season when winning three races and not far away in the other three, including at this track; highly respected for that campaign, and first-time-out record, but the handicapper reacted and he now needs to resume improvement.

10/1

5th

3

(9)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Paddy The Squire

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

5yo who has thrived this season and made it two 1m4f wins in a row when powering ahead at Hamilton (good to firm) a fortnight ago; also effective here (and on soft ground) and has hinted he could be even better now tackling 1m6f for the first time; trainer won this in 2015 and 2017; player.

15/2

2

(2)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Paddy The Squire

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Won on reappearance at Chester (1m2f, good) in May before being placed in two competitive handicaps, then back to winning ways at Thirsk (1m4f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; hit with 9lb rise for last time but this thriving 5yo had 5l to spare and could play a leading role once more.

3/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
75,000euros foal, 110,000euros yearling; half-brother to winners Amazonie (1m-1m2f including 2yo/AW Listed; RPR 103), Sejo (9.7f/10.5f; 94) and Midnight Train (1m/1m2f; 70); dam 1m1f/9.5f AW winner (90), half-sister to 10.5f Group 3 winner Skia out of 1m1f-1m2f winner; entered in the Derby and stable can get them ready first time; market useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Roaring Legend

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Olly Murphy

A poor show last May prompted a second wind operation and it was a solid campaign otherwise; never better than when second this February in 2m AW handicaps at Wolverhampton and Lingfield, but peak turf form isn't far behind it and he'll probably be on the premises.

7/1

2nd

1

(2)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Roaring Legend

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Olly Murphy

Developed into a useful handicapper on the Flat for Hugo Palmer last year; having rejoined Olly Murphy, he continued the good work when second on 2m Wolverhampton reappearance three weeks ago, with reopposing pair Enemy and Brasil Power narrowly behind in third/fourth; likely to go well again.

11/4

2nd

1

(6)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 2

16:22 Wolverhampton (AW)

Roaring Legend

10st 0lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Olly Murphy

Developed into a useful handicapper, including on AW, last year for Hugo Palmer; close third in the Mallard at Doncaster on final outing; however, needs a career-best performance to defy current mark on first run since rejoining Olly Murphy.

11/2

Verdict

Some interesting newcomers here, with Imperial Ace, Open Choice and Roaring Legend possibly the pick. Market support for any of them should be heeded, but LASER GUIDED probably ran better than it looked when in midfield on his Kempton debut. He is bred to be better than that and his experience should stand him in good stead.[David Bellingham]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Laser Guided

The Times:

Cosmic Soul

Daily Mail:

Roaring Legend

Daily Mirror:

Imperial Ace

Daily Record:

Cosmic Soul

RP Ratings:

Laser Guided

POSTDATA:

Laser Guided

Telegraph:

Laser Guided

The Guardian:

Laser Guided

D Express:

Laser Guided

The Sun:

Laser Guided

The Star:

Roaring Legend