February 20 / 18.30 Newcastle (AW)

18.30

Standard

talkSPORT Download The App Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10152
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
talkSPORT Download The App Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £1.73
  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
125,000gns foal, 350,000gns yearling; half-brother to winners Youth Spirit (7f 2yo/1m4f Group 3; RPR 112) and Tarbaan (1m-1m2f including AW; 90); dam unraced half-sister to 6f 2yo Group 2 winner Blaine; stable's winner of this race last year had run (and won) before, but he still makes plenty of appeal on breeding and market confidence would be significant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

23rd Aug 2023

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Canberra Legend

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Half-brother Youth Spirit was third in this race in 2021; second win was a Listed contest at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) in April; disappointing in the Dante at York but back on song when fifth of 16 in Group 3 at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) and third of six in Group 3 at Goodwood (1m4f, soft; Artistic Star fourth); needs better still to take this, which is what the same connections' Deauville Legend managed in it 12 months ago.

16/1

3rd

3

(1)

3rd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Canberra Legend

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Half-brother Youth Spirit was fourth in this race in 2021; second win was a Listed contest at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) in April; disappointing in the Dante at York but back on song when fifth of 16 in Group 3 at Royal Ascot, both about 1m2f on good to firm; stuck to his task admirably last time as if well worth a crack at 1m4f.

13/2

5th

5

(6)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Canberra Legend

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Won on debut at Newcastle (1m, AW) in February and finished well to follow up in Listed race at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) in April; something to prove after his Group 2 Dante disappointment (10.2f, good to firm) but that's not his true form and he retains potential.

11/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to winners Let's Go (7f-1m2f including Listed), Golden Spectrum (7f-1m) and Beholding (1m4f Listed); dam Group 1-placed 5f 2yo winner (stayed 1m; 107), half-sister to 5f Group 1 winner Total Gallery; appealing pedigree, but stable's newcomers often better for a run so he may be best watched on debut unless the market suggests otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(2)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

20:40 Windsor

Carbis Bay

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Chris Gordon

Consistent rather than progressive in ten runs for Marco Botti; sold for 20,000gns in March; never dangerous over C&D on last month's stable debut; eased in class but needs more.

14/1

10th

12

(3)

20th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Carbis Bay

9st 4lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Chris Gordon

dwelt start, took keen hold, towards rear, not pace to challenge

12/1

10th

12

(3)

20th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Carbis Bay

9st 4lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Chris Gordon

dwelt start, took keen hold, towards rear

12/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 5

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sent off 33-1 for her Kempton debut (1m, Polytrack) this month, but did show some promise in finishing fifth of nine; that race was slowly run, though, so the form may not be completely reliable and she probably needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

27th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Lingfield (AW)

Pillarsofcreation

9st 5lb

T: Roger Varian

Never a threat in three runs over 1m but she's bred to be useful and now makes handicap debut after over six months off; should be suited by today's longer distance; dangerous, especially if strong in the market.

5/1

12th

10

(13)

19th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newmarket

Pillarsofcreation

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

Similar form in two 1m novice events on AW in February; stable looks to have stronger claims with Mubhijah.

20/1

3rd

8

(5)

20th Feb 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Pillarsofcreation

9st 2lb

J: Cameron Noble

T: Roger Varian

towards rear, nudged along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and went third inside final furlong, stayed on

4/1

Form: 44

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Blinkered both starts, being beaten a length into fourth of 11 (just behind United Force) on his Southwell debut (7f, Tapeta) last month and fourth of six over this C&D a fortnight later (winner and third successful since); needs this for a mark, but he can't be ruled out entirely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(11)

15th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:05 Dundalk (AW)

Sir John Monash

9st 8lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: P J F Murphy

Struggled in handicaps on both turf and AW; now down 11lb from initial mark and new headgear combination tried for this longer trip.

8/1

10th

4

(3)

20th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Sir John Monash

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: P J F Murphy

Nine-race maiden who was only beaten half a length on yard debut at Limerick in June; disappointing favourite over C&D next time though and he's struggled in three runs over further since.

8/1

Form: 80-8

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in all three starts over 1m/1m2f on Polytrack/Tapeta during the winter; handicaps back over further likely to be his thing in due course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

18

(1)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

18:05 Ascot

Pledgeofallegiance

8st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Has mostly run well since handicapping, one of the exceptions on his sole visit to this track but that was on soft ground and the only time he's had a visor (usually wears cheekpieces); three front-running wins on turf at up to 2m last season and renewed his progress this term, always prominent when scoring from Temporize at Goodwood (2m) last time; whether he can get a good enough early position from stall 1 is a worry, as he's not been quick to find his stride this term, but otherwise he should run very well.

12/1

1st

3

(4)

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:25 Goodwood

Pledgeofallegiance

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

dwelt start, pushed along soon after start, took keen hold, raced in second

6/1

1st

3

(4)

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:25 Goodwood

Pledgeofallegiance

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

dwelt start, pushed along soon after start, took keen hold, raced in second

6/1

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
30,000gns foal, 70,000gns yearling; half-brother to winners Epona Plays (1m/9.4f including Group 2; RPR 112), Dolce Strega (5f-7f including at two/AW/Group 3; 103), Bumbasina (Listed-placed 1m; 94) and Raffaello (7f/1m; 69); dam unraced sister to 1m5f-2m1f winner; nicely bred and is likely to have a future but winning newcomers from the yard are rare.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(8)

4th Apr 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

My Duty

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Not without some ability in two starts at Newcastle, as when third of ten (9l behind the winner) in a slowly run event (7f) last month; looks more of a handicap type.

12/1

3rd

7

(12)

15th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:40 Newcastle (AW)

My Duty

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

prominent against far rail

25/1

6th

4

(3)

20th Feb 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

My Duty

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

dwelt start, towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, made no impression

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 32

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished a neck ahead of Sir John Monash when third of 11 on his Southwell debut (7f, Tapeta) last month and again ran well when second of eight here (7f) 11 days ago; should have no problem with the extra furlong and a leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(1)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

19:45 Nottingham

United Force

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Clare Hobson

Three wins (1m) in 2024 but he's been well held in last ten starts including when fourth behind Desiderata at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) last month; that wasn't bad but he needs to raise his game back in a handicap.

20/1

4th

11

(7)

16th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

United Force

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Clare Hobson

A three-time 1m scorer in 2024 but only poor form of late and he was soon ridden when fourth of six in 7f Chelmsford handicap in January; he needs to take a step forward.

16/1

4th

6

(1)

15th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

United Force

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Clare Hobson

Won three times over 1m in 2024, including over C&D; third at Southwell (1m, AW) last April but he's not been in the same form in four starts since; drops back to 7f and others are preferred.

20/1

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam unraced half-sister to 1m-1m4f winner Answered (including Listed; RPR 110), Peripatetic (1m 2yo winner, 1m4f Group 3-placed) and Woody Bay (7f-1m1f winner); something to like on breeding and one to monitor in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

14:12 Newcastle (AW)

Knockbrex

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Narrow C&D winner (Class 4; 12-1) in November and, broadly speaking, has acquitted himself respectably since; stamina was likely overstretched at Wolverhampton (1m4f) latest; it's interesting that Jack Callan (1-1) returns to the saddle from just 1lb above that winning mark.

4/1

8th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Knockbrex

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

1m2f and 1m4f AW winner, including on Tapeta; backed up November's Newcastle success with a respectable third at Lingfield last month; was below that level at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) latest; drops 1lb and can be competitive if he acts at this track.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.00
Straight Forecast £6.56
Trifecta £34.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Canberra Legend

POSTDATA:

United Force

The Times:

Carbis Bay

Telegraph:

Pillarsofcreation

The Guardian:

Canberra Legend

Daily Mail:

Canberra Legend

D Express:

Canberra Legend

Daily Mirror:

Canberra Legend

The Sun:

Canberra Legend

LAMBOURN:

United Force

The Star:

United Force

Daily Record:

United Force