December 20 / 12.00 Lingfield (AW)

12.00

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtimes/EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands C/D, No More Than 3 Runs) (GBB) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3564
  • 1m 0f 1y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtimes/EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands C/D, No More Than 3 Runs) (GBB) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Cloudy

8/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.45
  • Place: £1.10

Form: P21 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 11lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in the early stages when favourite on his debut in October but he went close at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) next time before an emphatic win over C&D two weeks ago; just about sets the standard under a penalty for that success and he's open to more progress; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

(13)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Dashing Darcey

8st 13lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Geoffrey Harker

Just second outing for Geoff Harker when runner-up off 1lb higher at Haydock (1m, good) last May but never involved when dropped to 7f at York the following month and not seen since (gelded); this is a tough race to return in.

14/1

12th

4

(13)

14th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:50 York

Dashing Darcey

9st 13lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Geoffrey Harker

Just second outing for current yard when adding to his good Haydock record with a closing second over 1m three weeks ago; slight doubts as to whether the drop back to 7f will be ideal but his mark is definitely workable.

11/2

2nd

7

(14)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 37y

Class 3

13:15 Haydock

Dashing Darcey

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Geoffrey Harker

Won over C&D (good) for Roger Varian last summer and another fine effort over C&D when second on soft in the autumn; changed hands for 110,000gns after final 3yo start; never involved in the Lincoln at Doncaster on reappearance for new yard but he did meet trouble in running; stall 14 could make life tricky.

8/1

OUR TIP

7/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 222

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Started his career with a near-miss at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) in August and he's finished runner-up again in both subsequent runs; hasn't really progressed so far but he finished well behind an impressive winner at Kempton last month and looks ready for this step up in trip; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Character Testing

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Flat winner who is 0-15 over hurdles, though does have placed form off this mark; it wasn't too bad a run 19 days ago at Market Rasen.

8/1

5th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Character Testing

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

0-14 over hurdles, and C&D second in January (good to soft) was the fourth time he's been beaten under a length in this sphere; not obviously ungenuine for all that, however, and he'll likely be just right for this after a couple of recent Flat spins; no ground concerns.

11/2

8th

7

(1)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Redcar

Character Testing

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Mark Walford

Modest maiden hurdler who returned to the Flat following 20-month absence when seventh of nine at Pontefract (1m, good to soft) 13 days ago; needs to come down the weights.

16/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
15,000euros brother to a Polish 1m winner; well held in third behind Dashing Darcey over C&D (33-1) on recent debut, but that was a promising start from a tough draw and he should improve for the experience; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(4)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

LEagle Aid

9st 8lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Charlie Johnston

Usually races prominently but came from the rear, having fluffed the start, to dead-heat over C&D (good; subsequently awarded outright win) last summer; now only 1lb above that mark and returns here after respectable run in quite valuable Musselburgh race last month; one to consider.

8/1

6th

4

(5)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

LEagle Aid

9st 6lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

238 days off before his Newcastle run three weeks ago when he may well have been in need of the race and interference exacerbated his margin of defeat; possibilities if that has brought him back to his best.

14/1

50/1

Form: 7

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
250-1 for his C&D debut two weeks ago and was a never-dangerous seventh of 11 behind Dashing Darcey; should know more this time but he needs major improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(2)

27th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

18:08 Lingfield (AW)

Snooker McCrew

9st 9lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: J S Moore

Showed promise at this track last year and got off the mark on the return to this C&D last Thursday when making all; 6lb penalty makes it tougher but he clearly likes it around here.

4/1

1st

7

(4)

22nd Aug 2024

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Snooker McCrew

8st 12lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: J S Moore

Has shown little in three turf handicaps since returning in May, but did show some promise in three starts over 7f/1m here late last year; could make an impact if the return to this surface revives him.

14/1

Form: 6

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 11lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to a useful 7f/1m winner but she didn't live up to market expectations in a 1m novice at Kempton (well-held sixth) last month; looked inexperienced in that race but she needs to leave that debut form behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(11)

11th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 201y

Class 4

17:07 Salisbury

Pratigya

8st 11lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Harry Charlton

took keen hold, prominent, bit short of room and steadied 6f out

15/2

1st

6

(7)

1st May 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

15:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pratigya

9st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Harry Charlton

Half-sister to the useful handicapper Merlin The Wizard (RPR 101); showed ability on Kempton debut (1m fillies' novice; sixth of 12, 4-1, beaten 11l) in November, and had a valid excuse - short of room - for failing to build on that next time; entitled to be competitive.

7/4

1st

6

(7)

1st May 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

15:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pratigya

9st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Harry Charlton

Half-sister to the useful handicapper Merlin The Wizard (RPR 101); showed ability on Kempton debut (1m fillies' novice; sixth of 12, 4-1, beaten 11l) in November, and had a valid excuse - short of room - for failing to build on that next time; entitled to be competitive.

7/4

66/1

Form: 67

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never involved at 200-1 on his Wolverhampton debut and the same story when seventh of 11 at Kempton (1m, Polytrack) two weeks ago; wasn't disgraced in a good race last time but he's probably one for a bit further in due course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

28th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

15:53 Yarmouth

Harlington

9st 9lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Charlie Clover

Six time winner who won three in a row in January/February and he ran another good race when third at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) last month; won on turf last summer but that was off a much lower mark and he needs to transfer his progress back to this sphere.

5/1

3rd

4

(5)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Harlington

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charlie Clover

Thriving for his current yard and he completed a hat-trick in 1m2f Chelmsford handicap in February; up another 4lb but this C&D winner rates a player in his bid for a four-timer.

9/2

1st

2

(3)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Harlington

11st 1lb

J: Mr Lewis Kent

T: Charlie Clover

Improver who has won four of his last nine starts and he made it 2-3 for current yard when scoring over C&D 13 days ago; remains feasibly treated off only 2lb higher and he's a big player again in hat-trick bid.

5/4

40/1

Form: 59

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in his two runs in October including a ninth of 11 over C&D last time; has plenty to find here and will be more interesting when handicapping over further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(3)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:10 Leicester

Myna

8st 12lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Finally got off the mark at Lingfield (1m2f, good) and has continued in good form in the main since, narrowly winning over this C&D (good to firm) last time; just 1lb higher today and he's high on the list.

11/2

1st

9

(8)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:55 Leicester

Myna

9st 2lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Finally got off the mark in 1m2f classified event at Lingfield in January; has continued in good form and challenged wide when sixth in another classified event there in March; in the mix again.

9/2

6th

11

(10)

25th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:52 Lingfield (AW)

Myna

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Best of those to race on the pace at Newcastle two weeks ago; excuses for his only below-par effort this year (C&D) and goes on the shortlist under Rossa Ryan.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 8st 11lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Belardo half-sister to 6f-8.6f winner Voltaic (including AW); dam unplaced in France, half-sister to some useful performers, notably 11.6f Group 3 winner Saddlers Quest; this looks a tough enough starting point and she's bred to do better with age.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(3)

20th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

12:00 Lingfield (AW)

Belarmindar

8st 11lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

prominent

20/1

3

(11)

13th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Belarmindar

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Belardo half-sister to 6f-8.6f winner Voltaic (including AW); dam unplaced in France, half-sister to some useful performers, notably 11.6f Group 3 winner Saddlers Quest; bred to do better with age.

6/1

Form: 74

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 11lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved on her debut form when fourth of ten at Chelmsford (7f, Polytrack) last month but she was beaten 6l in that race and needs another good step forward on this step up to 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

10

(3)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Wetherby

Sky Blue Dreams

9st 6lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

squeezed out start and slowly into stride, in rear

25/1

15th

10

(3)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Wetherby

Sky Blue Dreams

9st 6lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

squeezed out start and slowly into stride, in rear

25/1

13th

3

(13)

17th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Sky Blue Dreams

9st 10lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Alice Haynes

Failed to build on her Chelmsford maiden fourth when beating only one in 1m Lingfield novice in December; she needs to bounce back now going handicapping after a break.

14/1

Form: 79

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Massive prices and he's finished tailed in two runs on Polytrack, most recently at Kempton (1m) two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(9)

24th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Sicilian Sosizza

8st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Joseph Parr

Has shown little in his three runs to date, coming in last of ten in 1m Lingfield novice 35 days ago; he needs this step into handicap company to spark a major improvement.

25/1

10th

6

(5)

20th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

12:00 Lingfield (AW)

Sicilian Sosizza

9st 2lb

J: Cameron Noble

T: Joseph Parr

held up in rear

100/1

9th

11

(8)

6th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Sicilian Sosizza

9st 7lb

J: Cameron Noble

T: Joseph Parr

150-1, never a threat when seventh of nine in 7f Chelmsford novice on his debut last month; lots more is required.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.00
Straight Forecast £1.87
Trifecta £6.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dashing Darcey

The Times:

L'Eagle Aid

The Guardian:

L'Eagle Aid

Daily Record:

L'Eagle Aid

RP RATINGS:

Dashing Darcey

POSTDATA:

Dashing Darcey

NEWMARKET:

Dashing Darcey

Telegraph:

Dashing Darcey

Daily Mail:

Dashing Darcey

D Express:

Dashing Darcey

Daily Mirror:

Dashing Darcey

The Sun:

Dashing Darcey

The Star:

Dashing Darcey