May 20 / 18.50 Doncaster

18.50

Good

Thomas And Jane Connolly Memorial Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4320
  • 0m 6f 2y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Thomas And Jane Connolly Memorial Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.90
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 06-

Last run: 249 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost 370,000gns as a yearling; tongue-tied on both runs last season; quiet on debut but was a big eyecatcher when never nearer than late on at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm); has been gelded and undergone wind surgery; interesting to gauge the confidence behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(6)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Has won here but at his best at Newcastle where he has gained his last four wins; can ruin chance by starting slowly but is not firing on all cylinders at present anyway; best to wait until he returns to Newcastle.

16/1

3rd

1

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:15 Wetherby

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on the AW, but has a 15lb lower rating on turf; Newcastle winner in March; not disgraced on latest turf start at Beverley last month, but modest effort in a visor (on again) on Tapeta last time; a possible.

6/1

2nd
5 (1)
Kaidu

33/1

  • Place: £6.60

Form: 7

Last run: 94 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
40-1 when never a threat on his Kempton debut in February (6f); bred to do better at some point but best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(1)

3rd May 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Newcastle (AW)

Kaidu

9st 8lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Susan Corbett

Ten-race maiden; signed off for Archie Watson with pretty good third at Wolverhampton (6f) in January and may not have handled soft turf when struggling on recent stable debut but others have more pressing claims; hooded for first time.

20/1

12th

6

(1)

3rd May 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Newcastle (AW)

Kaidu

9st 8lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Susan Corbett

Ten-race maiden; signed off for Archie Watson with pretty good third at Wolverhampton (6f) in January and may not have handled soft turf when struggling on recent stable debut but others have more pressing claims; hooded for first time.

20/1

16th

2

(10)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Thirsk

Kaidu

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Susan Corbett

towards rear

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 422-43

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
0-8 last year for Fozzy Stack but showed ability; bought for 62,000gns; showed up well for a long way on British debut (6f AW) and again ran okay back over 5f at Nottingham (soft); current connections resisting any temptation to enter handicaps and perhaps vulnerable again should there be improvers lurking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(1)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

McCauleys Tavern

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Well treated on the pick of his form, the latest when second of eight off 7lb higher at Kempton (6f, Polytrack) in January, but not matched that form since and is just 2-32.

12/1

4

(8)

1st Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

McCauleys Tavern

9st 8lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

None too consistent but both his wins have come over C&D and he does seem well suited by the track; on a good mark back from four months off and a big run would be no surprise, for all his propensity to miss the break is a nagging concern.

9/2

8

(1)

4th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

15:22 Nottingham

McCauleys Tavern

9st 2lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Michael Appleby

0-15 on turf; runner-up off 4lb higher at Kempton (6f, AW) in January but he was comfortably held over C&D in a 0-58 36 days ago; others preferred.

20/1

100/1

Form: 0-7

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has registered modest RPRs in both her runs and looks outclassed in a race like this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(7)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Kynsa

9st 5lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Plenty of short-priced defeats to her name but doesn't do anything wrong and the cheekpieces have helped, with two Kempton wins from the front this summer; has a career-high mark to overcome, having gone up another 3lb for her Sandown near-miss.

4/1

2nd

15

(8)

8th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Sandown

Kynsa

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

took keen hold, prominent

10/1

Form: 52 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Drawn wide on his 7f Kempton debut; showed plenty more to threaten at Chelmsford (6f) but the chances are this is a far stronger race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(2)

27th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:50 Yarmouth

Surrey Noir

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

midfield, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

10/1

7th

4

(2)

27th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:50 Yarmouth

Surrey Noir

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

midfield, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

10/1

10th

12

(10)

8th May 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Surrey Noir

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Fellowes

Cheekpieces helped last backend, when turning in three solid efforts over C&D under James Doyle; was drawn wide and inclined to pull hard on his turf comeback (6f) and should do much better.

8/1

OUR TIP

4/6

Form: 36-2

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Promise at two; improved effort when second to a rival with a BHA mark of 98 on his Kempton return, the pair pulling well clear of the third; must have every chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

16:50 Lingfield (AW)

Almaty Star

9st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner who's drawn to attack and boasts a solid record over C&D; not much room for manoeuvre off this mark, though, for a yard also responsible for Ziggy's Missile.

8/1

8th

6

(5)

22nd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 3

19:17 Windsor

Almaty Star

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner who was found an ordinary Yarmouth handicap when winning easily in the spring; handicapper had his say for that and he finished well beaten behind Dream Composer upped in class at Epsom last time; yard also runs Rhythm N Hooves.

12/1

18th

20

(13)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Almaty Star

8st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Robert Cowell

Better on AW than turf but took advantage of a good opportunity at Yarmouth in April (5f, good); hit with an 8lb rise for that, bringing his turf and AW marks into line; blew the start back at Yarmouth last month but the stewards deemed him a non-runner due to having his head turned as the stalls opened; risky on the back of that and there are other pace influences to contend with today.

20/1

Form: BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran a moderate race at Redcar (6f, good to soft) but she was unruly beforehand and it's interesting that she was sent off favourite; no surprise should she be seen in a very different light here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(1)

25th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lady Chapel

8st 12lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: James Ferguson

Occasion got the better of her when favourite on her spring debut and she's struggled since; hung left at Kempton last time (behind Angel De Luz) though, and it's too soon to write her off now going up in trip again in first-time headgear.

16/1

6th

9

(8)

9th Sep 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Kempton (AW)

Lady Chapel

8st 10lb

J: Stefano Cherchi

T: James Ferguson

Sent off favourite for her debut in May but played up beforehand and finished well held; some promise at Doncaster second time out and she looks a likely improver upped in trip and switched to a low-grade handicap.

4/1

12th

6

(7)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 5

18:45 Windsor

Lady Chapel

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

in rear

20/1

Form: 4

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
While there were positives to take from Thirsk (6f, heavy; fourth of nine) that bare form gives him masses to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(6)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Whiskey Priest

9st 2lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Yet to hit top form this season, tried in blinkers when seventh of ten in 5f handicap here three weeks ago; mark is falling but he still needs to take a big step forward.

25/1

10th

10

(6)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Whiskey Priest

9st 2lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Yet to hit top form this season, tried in blinkers when seventh of ten in 5f handicap here three weeks ago; mark is falling but he still needs to take a big step forward.

25/1

7th

9

(8)

28th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Whiskey Priest

8st 10lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Dual winner on good to soft turf last season who's rather struggled during a limited campaign this time having undergone wind surgery; is potentially well treated if the first-time headgear has the desired effect.

16/1

100/1

Form: 7

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never made any inroads from off the pace at Southwell (6f AW) and already looks one for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(8)

13th Jun 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

15:00 Southwell (AW)

De La Hoya

9st 2lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Kevin Frost

Nothing doing in two 6f events, over C&D and on turf, and handicaps are the obvious next move.

33/1

9th

4

(2)

20th May 2023

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

18:50 Doncaster

De La Hoya

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Kevin Frost

Never made any inroads from off the pace at Southwell (6f AW) and already looks one for handicaps.

100/1

7th

4

(4)

14th Apr 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:30 Southwell (AW)

De La Hoya

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Frost

11,000gns yearling, 2,600gns 2yo; dam an unraced half-sister to a winner in Scandinavia; only of interest if strong in the market.

20/1

Form:

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Started very slowly at Redcar (6f, good to soft) and remained in the rear throughout (80-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

(9)

27th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

13:45 Redcar

Beanie Blue

8st 11lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Steph Hollinshead

Poor form at best thus far, beating only one in 6f Leicester handicap on her return 30 days ago; hood and tongue-tie go on, but lots to find.

50/1

10th

15

(9)

27th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

13:45 Redcar

Beanie Blue

8st 11lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Steph Hollinshead

Poor form at best thus far, beating only one in 6f Leicester handicap on her return 30 days ago; hood and tongue-tie go on, but lots to find.

50/1

13th

12

(1)

27th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Leicester

Beanie Blue

8st 9lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Steph Hollinshead

Well down the field on handicap debut here (7f, good to soft) in September and also struggled when dropped back to 6f at Wolverhampton the following month; non-runner at Doncaster (1.23) yesterday.

50/1

11th
6 (12)
Lil Wade

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£15,000 2yo; third foal; brother to Italian 5.5f-6f winner Saielah; dam 1m AW winner (RPR 72), half-sister to 1m-11.4f winner Dragons Voice out of half-sister to 1m4f Group 1 winner Grape Tree Road and 1m5f Group 2 winner Red Route; an unlikely winner on this belated debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(3)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

16:58 Brighton

Lil Wade

9st 0lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Scott Dixon

This is only his third race on turf but he finished last and second last in the others; none of his 2025 or 2026 form reads well enough and his 0-33 overall record is probably the bottom line.

66/1

8th

9

(7)

21st May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Lil Wade

9st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Scott Dixon

Poor maiden who's done most racing in sprints and not looked to see it out in a handful of starts over this trip; two poor efforts this spring leave him hard to recommend.

50/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 281 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(10)

18th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Boxing Alex

9st 3lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David Loughnane

Best effort on his third start when beaten 3l into fifth of 11 in a Wolverhampton novice (7f, Tapeta) in June; has blown out in both his handicaps (gelded before latest) and needs a turnaround.

20/1

12th

7

(13)

30th Aug 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Boxing Alex

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: David Loughnane

towards rear

10/1

10th

9

(11)

10th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 5

17:20 Chepstow

Boxing Alex

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: David Loughnane

Unexposed 3yo who wasn't beaten far when a front-running fifth of 11 in a Wolverhampton novice (7f, AW) two weeks ago; opening mark is no gift but he's improved with each of his three runs so far and needs watching in the market on his handicap debut; blinkers added.

10/1

Non-runners

Boxing Alex

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £166.30
Straight Forecast £121.10
Trifecta £1309.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Almaty Star

TOPSPEED:

McCauley's Tavern

NEWMARKET:

Dark Kestrel

RP RATINGS:

Almaty Star

POSTDATA:

Almaty Star

The Times:

Almaty Star

Telegraph:

Almaty Star

The Guardian:

Almaty Star

Daily Mail:

Almaty Star

Daily Mirror:

Almaty Star

The Sun:

Almaty Star

The Star:

Almaty Star

Daily Record:

Almaty Star

D Express:

McCauley's Tavern