August 23 / 18.35 Hamilton

18.35

Soft

Darley EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20616
  • 1m 3f 15y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Darley EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; Fastnet Rock half-brother to top stable's Group 1 2yo Fillies' Mile winner Commissioning; dam twice-raced 1m2f winner (RPR 99) from classy family; no surprise if he plays a leading role on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Military Academy

9st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

AW Listed winner for the Gosdens in November 2024 but he hasn't been near that form since a Listed second last June; second and third places early this year came in small fields and other options look more solid.

20/1

5th

3

(4)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Military Academy

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Latest win came in a Listed race over 1m4f here for the Gosdens in November 2024 but he hasn't been at his best in five starts for this yard; needs a major revival.

12/1

12th

1

(5)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Military Academy

9st 12lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Ex-Gosden 5yo; something of a revival with his second and third in small fields at Lingfield (1m2f) on last two outings for current yard, the latter a Group 3; bit more to prove back in the different scenario of this handicap but, with 7lb claimer recruited, he's not entirely dismissed.

12/1

OUR TIP

5/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-2 BF

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won on debut at Newmarket (7f, heavy) last November and reappeared with creditable second in Thirsk novice (1m, good to soft); gelded since; his talented sister Angel Power stayed 1m4f; key player under a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:40 Leopardstown

The Reverend

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Gained a fourth Flat win with a hard-earned success in the 1m6f Old Borough Cup at Haydock last September; stamped himself as a useful recruit to hurdling when scoring at Cork last month.

7/1

1st

6

(7)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

The Reverend

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Looked one to follow when impressive on handicap debut at Ascot (1m4f, soft) last September; failed to kick on from that initially but got back on track with convincing win in small field at Ripon (1m4f, soft) in July; could have more to offer for top yard now things have clicked again, especially now back up in trip, and he's not necessarily a soft-ground specialist.

4/1

1st

1

(5)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:55 Ripon

The Reverend

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: William Haggas

Looked potentially smart when smooth winner on 1m4f Ascot handicap debut (soft) last September in first-time cheekpieces; hasn't progressed as might have been expected in three subsequent runs (favourite each time) but not disgraced either and may have found good to firm ground too lively (raced on softer than good otherwise) when fifth of 12 in a York Dante meeting handicap on reappearance (no headgear); still has time on his side and a potential class act giving weight away to lesser opposition in refitted cheekpieces.

4/7

33/1

  • Place: £9.80

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
5,000euros 2yo; by Manduro; sixth foal; closely related to French 1m7f Flat/2m3f hurdle winner Montalte; dam French 9.7f/10.5f winner from talented family; one of two for the yard; may be best watched on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

14

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Wendrock

11st 5lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Only 1-10 over hurdles but shaped very well, making eye-catching late headway from a difficult position, in Listed handicap at Leopardstown (good to yielding; penultimate start) on sole 2m4f attempt and only outing under Carl Millar; good sixth, staying on, in the Fred Winter over 2m at this meeting last year; interesting contender who has potential at this trip.

9/1

8

2nd Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

Wendrock

10st 9lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful juvenile last season but yet to prove he's trained on, most recently set plenty to do when strong-finishing fifth of 16 (to Champagne Kid) over 2m5f here at Christmas; interesting now upped in trip.

14/1

11/4

Form: 43

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built upon the promise of last month's debut fourth at Ffos Las (1m, good to soft) when third at Southwell last time (1m3f, AW; the fourth has won since); bred to do better still and he's a strong contender this evening.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:35 Newcastle

Sugar Road

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

0-7 on the Flat and not much in three starts over hurdles, but he now switches to a handicap and is a possible improver on this step up in trip; needs watching in market.

7/1

4th

8

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

13:37 Ludlow

Sugar Road

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Middle-distance Flat maiden capable of mid-80s RPRs at his best for Andrew Balding, though has regressed gently since being gelded and can still race too freely and/or take a grip; hurdles and stable debut.

10/1

3

(6)

28th May 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

16:30 Hamilton

Sugar Road

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Six-race maiden who has finished down the field in both handicaps and needs to raise his game; however, he showed promise in maiden and novice events and could get back on track for his good yard at some stage.

9/1

20/1

Form: 4

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
12-1 when 11l fourth of 12 in hot maiden at Bellewstown (1m4f, good) last month on sole outing for Joseph O'Brien; sold for 14,000gns since; with a bit of improvement he could be in the mix on this stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

Melinda

11st 1lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Made a winning start over hurdles in 2m Musselburgh juvenile in November 2024; had been off for 17 months before coming in last of five on Newcastle AW (1m4f) 22 days ago; needs to take a big step forward.

14/1

5th

5

(5)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

17:53 Newcastle (AW)

Melinda

8st 4lb

J: Lexie Clarkson

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Limited in four runs on the Flat as a 3yo before winning a juvenile hurdle when last seen 18 months ago; this looks quite an ask from 2lb out of the handicap under Lexie Clarkson, who's taking just a second ride under rules.

33/1

1st

8

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

13:00 Musselburgh

Melinda

10st 9lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

0-4 and inconsistent on the Flat, and stablemate Johnny Ringo showed stronger form in that code; however, she has shown some promise and it will be no surprise if she gives a good account for her in-form yard on hurdle debut.

7/1

12/1

Form: 63

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth of 12 on debut at Ballinrobe (9.7f, good) in June and another fair effort when third of four at the Curragh (7f, yielding to soft) five days later; subsequently sold out of Joseph O'Brien's yard for 11,500gns; has ability but improvement is required on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 4

18:45 Hamilton

Izzari

9st 9lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Raced at 1m this season, for a good fourth on reappearance but well-beaten second favourite here next time; this is a rethink on trip but a C&D third last June and 1m2f win last September are encouraging.

14/1

8th

2

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:53 Hamilton

Izzari

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Three-time winner who was quite eyecatching after a break at Newcastle (1m) and the winner has been going places; fine on the grass and considered.

11/4

4th

12

(12)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Izzari

8st 11lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

1m2f course winner in September but higher marks found him out in two subsequent visits last year; others are preferred back from four months off.

20/1

100/1

Form: 90

Last run: 67 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Wetherby bumper (2m, heavy) in January 2022 on second start; then absent until this May and has finished tailed off on both Flat starts (1m1f, soft); probably best watched despite the step up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(9)

11th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

16:28 Carlisle

Bolton

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tristan Davidson

held up in rear

66/1

7th

1

(3)

23rd Aug 2024

Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Bolton

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tristan Davidson

held up in rear

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
15,000gns yearling; first foal; dam Listed-placed 1m2f/10.4f winner (RPR 99), half-sister to useful 1m2f/2m Flat and 2m-2m5f hurdle winner Mark Of Gold, out of dual 1m4f Listed winner; this Le Havre colt brings potential to his debut and is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

15:06 Newton Abbot

Meridian Way

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Lowly rated Flat maiden who showed only minor promise when sixth over C&D (behind Jaminska) on recent stable/hurdle debut.

66/1

5

9th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:28 Newton Abbot

Meridian Way

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Left Charlie Johnston for 1,500gns as a very modest four-race maiden (1m-1m4f); hooded for hurdling debut.

66/1

10th

12

(11)

15th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 6

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Meridian Way

8st 4lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Beaten a long way in three starts over 1m/1m3f on Tapeta/turf; bred to be better than he has shown so far and open to progress now handicapping, but it will very much be needed.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.70
Straight Forecast £3.91
Trifecta £92.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

The Reverend

SPOTLIGHT:

Sugar Road

NEWMARKET:

Military Academy

RP RATINGS:

Sugar Road

Daily Mail:

Sugar Road

The Sun:

Sugar Road

The Times:

The Reverend

Telegraph:

The Reverend

The Guardian:

The Reverend

D Express:

The Reverend

Daily Mirror:

The Reverend

The Star:

The Reverend

Daily Record:

The Reverend