October 14 / 15.50 Newmarket

15.50

Good To Soft

Earthlight Darley Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £45368
  • 1m 1f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Earthlight Darley Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 9-3244 CD BF

Last run: 84 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite in a Newbury Listed event when last seen in July but he soon had plenty to do in a falsely run race; better judged on his close second in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom in June; has a C&D win to his name and handles any ground; losing run stretches back to April 2021 but he looks a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

12/1

  • Place: £5.30

Form: 121715

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Refused to race on his first two outings but things have improved markedly since, and a fifth of eight in a Listed race at Sandown (1m, soft) last time was another step in the right direction; has form over 1m2f so this intermediate trip should be fine, but he has something to find with both Knight and Raadobarg on a strict interpretation of the Sandown form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(7)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

15:05 Haydock

Silver Sword

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Dylan Cunha

Gained last success off just 1lb lower at Meydan in March; hasn't scored on home soil for over two years but ran respectably in competitive field at York (1m) last Friday; possibilities back down in grade.

13/2

5th

13

(16)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Silver Sword

8st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Dylan Cunha

Failed to kick on after big-field handicap win at Meydan (1m, good to firm) in March but returned from a break in the Cambridgeshire (1m1f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and was denied a clear run when finishing an encouraging 11th of 23; he may be able to build on that performance.

16/1

11th

20

(1)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Silver Sword

8st 8lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Won a big-field handicap at Meydan (1m, good to firm) in March; however, didn't really threaten in Britain on his next three starts in April and May, and returns from a break today; others are more appealing.

40/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 339353

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Continued a solid run of form when third of eight in Listed race at Sandown (1m, soft) three weeks ago, no extra late on, and he also ran creditably over this C&D in the spring; each-way claims once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

5

(14)

16th Mar 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

15:45 Curragh

Raadobarg

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Raphael E Freire

Winner of this race for Johnny Murtagh, third of 19 last season when trained by George Boughey; generally disappointing since and the most recent of his five wins was for Murtagh in a 7f conditions race at Tipperary in April 2022; change of stable for 2025 campaign.

8/1

6th

2

(7)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 0f 37y

Class 2

13:30 Haydock

Raadobarg

10st 0lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

Well handicapped on his third on heavy ground at the Curragh (1m) in March but he's been generally disappointing since and was only tenth of 14 at Doncaster two weeks ago; new headgear is now tried but his last win was in 2022 and others are more convincing.

7/1

10th

4

(15)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:25 Doncaster

Raadobarg

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: George Boughey

Finished third in this race in 2021 and filled the same position at Ascot last time; not guaranteed to repeat the form, having been inconsistent this year, and his long losing run is another negative.

10/1

4th
1 (6)

6/1

Form: -38111 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Significantly better than ever at the age of six, completing a hat-trick in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York (1m1f; goes well there) seven weeks ago; should not be inconvenienced if the ground softens but he'll probably need another personal best to defy a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1-131 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Unexposed colt with impressive form-figures; well suited by stepping up to 1m1f when winning C&D handicap two weeks ago by a wide margin, travelling strongly and surging clear; rain-softened ground would be an unknown (raced only on good/good to firm) but he's improving fast and well worth his place in this higher grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

19:20 Redcar

Real Gain

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Very useful for Richard Hughes, including third in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, soft) on last year's reappearance; failed to back that up in two subsequent outings in 2025 but added to his solid record fresh when fourth on 1m Newmarket return for new yard 23 days ago; classy but needs to show he can still string good efforts together now.

4/1

4th

3

(8)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Real Gain

9st 1lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Won a 1m1f handicap here in September 2023; didn't get going the following term but returned from a year's absence with fine third of 15 in Goodwood's Golden Mile (1m, soft) last August; weakened when favourite for the Cambridgeshire here (1m1f, good to firm) the following month and he left Richard Hughes after beating two home at Kempton (AW) in November; stable debut.

5/1

16th

13

(22)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Real Gain

8st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: Richard Hughes

5yo who has been lightly raced since his easy win over C&D (good to firm) in September 2023; returned from a year off with very creditable third of 15 in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood (1m, soft) 57 days ago and he could build on that performance today; chance.

12/1

Form: -10221

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Going the right way, and a handicap win at Doncaster (1m2f) last month was a career best; however, he's up significantly in grade here and will need another jolt of improvement to follow up; the Doncaster run was his first encounter with soft ground, so the more rain that falls, the better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(4)

14th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:50 Newmarket

Maximilian Caesar

9st 1lb

J: Stefano Cherchi

T: Marco Botti

Going the right way, and a handicap win at Doncaster (1m2f) last month was a career best; however, he's up significantly in grade here and will need another jolt of improvement to follow up; the Doncaster run was his first encounter with soft ground, so the more rain that falls, the better.

14/1

1st

7

(8)

14th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:10 Doncaster

Maximilian Caesar

8st 10lb

J: Stefano Cherchi

T: Marco Botti

Scored by wide margin here (1m Class 4) in May; creditable second off this 9lb higher mark on two occasions since, latest at Newbury (good to soft) upped to 1m2f; could go well again.

10/1

Form: 1-7422 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo; finished ahead of three of these when beaten a head in Listed event at Sandown (1m, soft; unraced on good or firmer) last time, matching the form he'd shown in Goodwood Group 2 the time before; will probably stay this longer trip; cheekpieces on again and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

5th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

16:15 Sandown

Knight

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Group 3 2yo winner on heavy and best form has an older horse has also come in the mud, notably seconds in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and a 1m Listed race here (wore first-time cheekpieces that now return); having his first run on fast ground and over 1m2f when never dangerous in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot; there are reservations on a couple of counts.

12/1

10th

10

(11)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

18:40 Ascot

Knight

9st 5lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Won the Horris Hill at Newbury on heavy as a 2yo and underlined his liking for testing turf when second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and a 1m Sandown Listed race (wore first-time cheekpieces) at the end of last summer; ended 3yo campaign on a low note at Newmarket and also ran poorly with a visor added on his Doncaster reappearance in March; given time since; no headgear now and also up in trip.

25/1

5th

5

(7)

23rd Mar 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Doncaster

Knight

9st 2lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Won the Horris Hill at Newbury on heavy as a 2yo and underlined his liking for testing turf when second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood (Charyn over 1l back in third) and a Sandown Listed race (wore first-time cheekpieces) at the end of last summer; ran poorly in 1m1f Newmarket Group 3 when last seen in October but a bold show is assured if back to anywhere near his best in a first-time visor.

5/2

14/1

Form: -24725 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Ex-French; won both races at two and has shown useful form this season, best effort when second in Listed event at Chantilly (1m, good to soft) in August; met trouble and far from disgraced last time; has gone from one leading yard to another; impossible to discount in a hood on British debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:05 York

Padishakh

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

1-23 in Britain, the win coming from 2lb higher at Nottingham (1m, good to firm) in May; recent efforts suggest he will need to step up in order to make an impact; first-time visor joins the cheekpieces.

14/1

4

(8)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Padishakh

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Hasn't kicked on from a winning debut for this yard (1m; 1lb higher) and finished last on his previous AW start; others safer.

10/1

4th

1

(2)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

Padishakh

10st 1lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Won at Nottingham (8.3f, good to firm) on stable debut in May but diminishing returns in three runs since and was only eighth of ten at Haydock last month; now back on last winning mark but he needs to rediscover his spark back up in trip.

7/1

16/1

Form: 3-2907

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Would have possibilities judged on the pick of his form from last season, but this year's efforts have been below par; might have needed the run (after six months off) when only seventh of eight in Sandown Listed race last month but he has enough to prove on balance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Sir Busker

9st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

Good C&D record includes a win in this last year off 5lb higher; back on form when narrowly denied at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) and things went wrong from the start (stumbled) when well behind Westridge at Goodwood since; could bounce back.

18/1

6

(16)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Sir Busker

9st 3lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Has a mixed 1-6 record at Goodwood, with the win in 2019, but he won a 17-runner race at the York Ebor meeting last August and went down by a neck at Sandown this month, both over 1m2f on good to firm but the ground was not an issue previously; now a 9yo but 4lb lower than for that York win; drawn wide but likely to be delivered late anyway.

20/1

2nd

4

(3)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Sir Busker

9st 11lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Resilient 9yo who can still give it plenty in competitive handicaps, as when beating 16 rivals at York (about 1m2f, good to firm; off 5lb higher) last August; however, he has less obvious claims on subsequent handicap runs, including back at York in June.

12/1

Non-runners

Dubai Future

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £72.60
Straight Forecast £68.14
Tricast £335.65
Trifecta £482.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Knight

LAMBOURN:

Real Gain

Daily Mirror:

Spirit Dancer

TOPSPEED:

Sir Busker

SPOTLIGHT:

Highland Avenue

RP RATINGS:

Dubai Future

NEWMARKET:

Knight

The Times:

Knight

Daily Mail:

Knight

The Sun:

Knight

Telegraph:

Real Gain

The Guardian:

Real Gain

D Express:

Real Gain

Daily Record:

Spirit Dancer

The Star:

Sir Busker