April 25 / 16.10 Epsom

16.10

Good To Soft

Stephen Wallis Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5940
  • 1m 0f 113y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Stephen Wallis Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 926-83

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
0-5 but he was a good third of six in a handicap at Nottingham (1m2f, soft) a fortnight ago and shaped as though he may benefit from this drop back in trip; trainer won this in 2018 and 2019 and he holds solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(13)

3rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:55 Epsom

Kadovar

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Ran on good to soft on debut and all turf starts since have been on soft; that poses a question and he needs better than he showed at Newmarket on latest start, but he was a runaway winner of 8.5f Epsom novice the time before; bit to prove on this third attempt at 1m2f but his trainer has won three of the last five runnings of this race.

14/1

5th

6

(1)

7th May 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:50 Newmarket

Kadovar

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

raced centre

4/1

1st

2

(7)

25th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 4

16:10 Epsom

Kadovar

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

0-5 but he was a good third of six in a handicap at Nottingham (1m2f, soft) a fortnight ago and shaped as though he may benefit from this drop back in trip; trainer won this in 2018 and 2019 and he holds solid claims.

9/4

OUR TIP

5/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 22323-

Last run: 139 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
0-6 but runner-up three times (including on turf; unraced on slow ground) and was a good third in a Kempton handicap (7f, AW) last December when last seen; dam's side of pedigree suggests she'll be suited by this step up in trip and she's entitled to considerable respect on this reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(6)

27th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Ripon

Hey Lyla

10st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Charlie Johnston

Inconsistent and finished last at Newmarket 11 days ago, but she won at Hamilton (1m1f, good) in June and was a good third at Ayr (1m, good) last month; not ruled out.

7/1

6th

1

(7)

16th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Newmarket (July)

Hey Lyla

10st 0lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

One of her better efforts when chasing home a big improver over C&D last summer and she has run well on both turf starts this year, winning on reappearance at Hamilton (1m1f, good) and close up at Ayr (1m, good) in July; first time William Buick has ridden her in a handicap; every chance.

3/1

3rd

3

(1)

22nd Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Ayr

Hey Lyla

9st 8lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Inconsistent and below par at Chelmsford (1m, AW) last time; however, prior to that she made a winning reappearance at Hamilton (1m1f, good); also effective on soft/good to soft; can be a contender if she's on a going day.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; half-brother to winners Bell Shot (6f-7f; RPR 93) and Herodotus (1m2f; 73); dam Group-placed 1m winner; likely to improve for this debut outing but no surprise to see a good run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

24th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Merry Minister

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Brett Johnson

in touch with leaders

3/1

2nd

2

(2)

24th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Merry Minister

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Brett Johnson

in touch with leaders

3/1

5th

7

(1)

6th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Merry Minister

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Brett Johnson

Got off the mark at Lingfield (2m) in February and has continued in good order, challenging wide when fifth there (2m) three weeks ago; he ought to be in the shake-up.

4/1

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability in bumpers and he's bred for the Flat, but this 4yo is probably best watched on his debut in this code.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(3)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Dotties Star

9st 1lb

J: James Glennon

T: Pat Phelan

Better known as a hurdler these days, but he made a successful return to the Flat when narrowly landing a classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) in March; never involved in a C&D handicap last time but that was against a pace bias and he has claims if things go more to plan this time.

6/1

7th

11

(9)

8th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Dotties Star

8st 10lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Pat Phelan

Better known as a hurdler these days, but he made a successful return to the Flat when narrowly landing a 0-50 classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) a fortnight ago; this will be harder, but he remains unexposed on the AW.

8/1

1st

3

(4)

25th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:22 Lingfield (AW)

Dotties Star

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Pat Phelan

His sole win was over hurdles 14 months ago but he looked a bit unlucky when runner-up in that sphere at Huntingdon (2m) 24 days ago; now returns to the Flat but conditions should be fine and he needs a close look in the market.

5/1

7/4

Form: 3-

Last run: 262 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
100-30, soundly beaten third of six on debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) last August; this half-sister to connections' Irish Derby winner Westover is open to plenty of improvement this year, especially over today's extra yardage, and she could play a leading role on her return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

1

(6)

12th Jun 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Lingfield (AW)

Jalapa

9st 11lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

A half-sister to Irish Derby winner Westover so it's been an underwhelming start to her career, finishing no closer than 9l in 7f-8.5f events; should appreciate this longer trip now handicapping but the fitting of blinkers sets alarm bells ringing.

5/1

4th

12

(1)

25th May 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:52 Chelmsford (AW)

Jalapa

8st 13lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

Nearly 10l off the winner when third at Newmarket last August (7f, good to firm) and ended up tailed off when a strong favourite for her return at Epsom (1m, soft); as a half-sister to Irish Derby winner Westover she's no doubt capable of better at some stage.

13/2

5th

6

(2)

25th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 4

16:10 Epsom

Jalapa

8st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

100-30, soundly beaten third of six on debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) last August; this half-sister to connections' Irish Derby winner Westover is open to plenty of improvement this year, especially over today's extra yardage, and she could play a leading role on her return.

7/4

33/1

Form: 06-

Last run: 136 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Better effort when mid-division at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) last December on her second start but needs another big step forward today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(1)

11th Sep 2023

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

16:05 Brighton

La Espanola

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: David Menuisier

steadied start

14/1

9th

5

(6)

12th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 6

15:20 Yarmouth

La Espanola

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Half-sister to useful 1m3f-1m4f winner Caius Chorister (RPR 102); stepped up on her novice form to finish a close fourth on handicap debut at Lingfield (1m4f AW; first-time tongue-tie; 18-1) despite racing freely during a wide trip; one to be interested in back in distance.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
11,500euros foal; tenth foal; half-brother to eight winners up to 1m notably Robot Boy (5f-6f; RPR 110) and Accession (6f-7f; 104); sire was a middle-distance performer; bred to have a bright future but this newcomer might be one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Two Plus Two

8st 13lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Ed de Giles

Back in excellent form after 12 months off and landed 1m6f handicap at Bath nine days ago; up 3lb but this gutsy front-runner is not taken lightly.

3/1

1st

3

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:08 Bath

Two Plus Two

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed de Giles

Won on fast ground last May at Salisbury (1m6f) and Bath (11.5f); tailed off later that month but his recent reappearance here was a step back in the right direction; each-way claims if he's come on from that run.

10/1

4th

4

(1)

4th May 2026

Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:35 Bath

Two Plus Two

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Ed de Giles

Better than ever returned to turf last May when winning on fast ground at Salisbury and here; on a realistic mark for this belated return to action.

13/2

Non-runners

Two Plus Two

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.20
Straight Forecast £10.35
Trifecta £38.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jalapa

POSTDATA:

Kadovar

The Sun:

Hey Lyla

Telegraph:

Kadovar

The Guardian:

Kadovar

The Star:

Kadovar

The Times:

Jalapa

Daily Mail:

Jalapa

D Express:

Jalapa

Daily Mirror:

Jalapa

Daily Record:

Hey Lyla