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

2

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

17:00 Sedgefield

Character Testing

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Runner-up in a selling handicap at Beverley (1m4f) on penultimate start, and reportedly "failed to stay" when flopping at Doncaster (1m6f) a fortnight ago; yet to win over jumps (0-18) and, while this task isn't impossible, others make more appeal.

5/1

7th

2

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 115y

Class 6

17:20 Doncaster

Character Testing

9st 12lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Visored first time (occasionally tried other headgear) when a hampered, running-on second of seven under 7lb claimer over 1m4f at Beverley 18 days ago and that was the best Flat result since his win in January 2024; unraced beyond that latest 1m4f on Flat (second over a sharp 2m1f as hurdler); place chance but, with a 1-30 strike-rate, probably not the percentage call.

8/1

2nd

2

(3)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

14:10 Beverley

Character Testing

9st 12lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Winless since January 2024; raced mainly over hurdles subsequently and posted a solid fourth over hurdles at Uttoxeter 13 days ago; visor goes on for the first time.

10/1

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

1

(3)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

14:20 Beverley

LEagle Aid

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Went back-to-back last summer (about 1m4f, AW/good) and he's been beaten 3l or less on his last four starts, including in first-time cheekpieces (retained) four weeks ago; soft ground would be an unknown but he's below his last winning mark and drops back down in grade.

6/1

3rd

6

(6)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

14:10 Chester

LEagle Aid

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

One of three wins came over C&D in July of last year (promoted after dead-heating); solid runs in his last three races, two at Chester; tactically versatile and should be in the mix; first-time headgear.

6/1

3rd

3

(4)

22nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

16:12 Catterick

LEagle Aid

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Gradually coming back to form this term and last two efforts, both at Chester, can be marked up (met late trouble latest); remains on last winning mark and he is 1-1 over C&D (novice success two years ago); respected assuming fortune is back on his side.

7/4

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

6th

6

(4)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

15:33 Lingfield (AW)

Snooker McCrew

9st 9lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Max Comley

Won at this track (1m) for Stan Moore in 2024; has shown little in two starts for current yard since returning from a lengthy absence; the step up in trip in his first classified needs to have a positive impact.

15/2

5th

8

(3)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 213y

Class 6

18:21 Salisbury

Snooker McCrew

10st 10lb

J: Miss Aimee Jones

T: Max Comley

1m AW winner in 2024 for previous yard; missed 2025 and trailed home last of five at Salisbury (6f) ten days ago on reappearance; still has broadly poor form on turf.

20/1

5th

6

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Salisbury

Snooker McCrew

9st 0lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Max Comley

Rare Flat runner for his jumps-orientated yard; his win for Stan Moore came over 1m (Polytrack) and he went 1m2f once, so he has a bit to overcome running after such a long absence and in a sprint for the first time.

25/1

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

5th

2

(3)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 5

17:15 Sandown

Harlington

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Charlie Clover

Has won on turf but boasts a far superior strike-rate on the AW and hasn't been that threatening on good to firm in his last two races.

9/1

8th

3

(11)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Newbury

Harlington

9st 13lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Charlie Clover

A winner on turf but has a superior strike-rate on the AW including a hat-trick earlier this year; only four ran when third at Yarmouth last time and that was under a 5lb claimer; could be vulnerable.

10/1

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

4

(6)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:30 Brighton

Myna

9st 9lb

J: George Downing

T: Tony Carroll

Consistent enough at a similarly low level all year, winning twice, and there are no concerns regarding track, trip or ground; that's enough to see him shortlisted in a weak affair.

7/4

3rd

2

(6)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

14:45 Nottingham

Myna

9st 9lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Two 1m2f wins this year, the latest a fast-ground handicap at Leicester in May; respectable efforts since without hitting quite the same heights; should give a good account.

4/1

2nd

5

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

20:20 Brighton

Myna

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Tony Carroll

Has won twice this year and did well after a slow start to claim fourth in a similar race at Lingfield (1m2f, good) last month; if he breaks on terms then he holds strong claims.

5/2

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