September 19 / 14.12 Ayr

14.12

Good

Western House Hotel EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4123.2
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Western House Hotel EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.30
  • Place: £1.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
March foal by New Bay; 140,000gns foal, 45,000euros breeze-up 2yo; first foal; dam Listed-placed 1m2f/11.4f winner (RPR 99), closely related to 1m4f winner Polar Ice, half-sister to winners King Of Ice (7f) and Klimova (1m2f), out of 1m4f Listed winner; stable does having winning 2yo newcomers and market support would be interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

10th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:40 York

Hornsea Bay

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Debut at Ayr last September remains his only win but three of his last four starts (two over 1m2f at Ayr, one C&D) suggest he is capable of getting seriously involved.

7/2

8

(2)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Ayr

Hornsea Bay

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Won 2yo debut here (1m, good) last September and clear second behind well-handicapped winner in handicap over this C&D (good) in July; has shown promise on good to soft (unraced on softer); close fifth at York 11 days ago and he could play a leading role now back here.

5/1

10

(10)

7th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 3

16:00 York

Hornsea Bay

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: David O’Meara

Second to an unexposed Haggas horse at Ayr before racing too freely for his own good when favourite for a Racing League handicap at Chepstow (1m2f, good to soft); if giving himself a better chance here he might not be far away.

15/2

OUR TIP
2nd
1 (11)
Bambalam

10/11

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 7

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
600,000gns breeze-up purchase; surrounded by subsequent winners when seventh of 17 in the Convivial Maiden at York (7f, good to firm; 11-1) last month; that was a promising start and he is high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(9)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Bambalam

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Cost 600,000gns as a breezer in April 2024; consistent rather than progressive to date and although he wasn't beaten far at Wolverhampton 13 days ago, he didn't look an easy ride.

8/1

5th

1

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bambalam

9st 12lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Richard Fahey

Made rather disappointing return from 343-day absence when well-held fourth in 1m Pontefract maiden last month but his three 2yo runs were all promising and he remains unexposed; switches to AW for handicap debut.

5/1

4th

2

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:23 Pontefract

Bambalam

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Absent since last October (gelded in interim) but could be a contender if retaining the promise shown on his three 2yo starts (7f/1m, good to firm/good); interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

4/1

3rd
8 (2)
Methgal

5/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 46

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
From a prolific family and showed signs of promise alongside inexperience in two starts over 7f at Haydock and Goodwood; qualifies for a mark after this, but has suggested he is capable of better; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(1)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 94y

18:30 Roscommon

Methgal

10st 1lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Made the breakthrough in a 7f Dundalk handicap in March; followed that with two seconds (at Dundalk and on turf at Leopardstown); below his best at the Curragh and Listowel, before returning to form with a Limerick fourth.

10/1

4th

2

(7)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:50 Limerick

Methgal

10st 1lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Made the breakthrough in a 7f Dundalk handicap in March and followed that with runner-up finishes over the same trip back at Dundalk and on turf at Leopardstown (beaten by Exceeding); below his best at the Curragh early last month and in a recent Listowel race contested by several of these rivals.

10/1

12th

16

(9)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Methgal

10st 2lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: P J F Murphy

First reserve; made the breakthrough in a 7f Dundalk handicap in March and followed that with runner-up finishes over the same trip back at Dundalk and on turf at Leopardstown (yielding to soft); below his best at the Curragh last time.

4th
12 (9)
West Tyrone

16/1

Form: 4

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
20-1 and ran green when fourth of six on Beverley debut (7f, good to firm) in July; may need more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

20:12 Carlisle

West Tyrone

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Ex-Kevin Ryan; won a 1m AW handicap in March 2025; stays 1m2f but below-par when tried over further; bit to prove.

40/1

12th

11

(3)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Wetherby

West Tyrone

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Didn't progress as may have been expected following a 1m win at Southwell last March; dropped away to finish eighth of the nine runners on last month's stable debut at Newcastle (1m); enough to prove for now.

33/1

8th

2

(4)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

West Tyrone

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) last March and runner-up at Ayr in September on final run for Kevin Ryan; sold for 10,000GBP in October; lacks a recent outing but is not ruled out on his stable debut.

12/1

7/1

Form: 35

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
From a stable not known for winning newcomers, so his third of nine on last month's Ripon debut (1m, good) was encouraging, but he didn't build on it at York (1m, good to soft) 11 days ago; nurseries beckon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(8)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

17:17 Redcar

Off Spin

9st 9lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Is 0-17 but he arrives in good form, placed for third consecutive start when runner-up in 1m2f Ayr handicap (Shifter third) two weeks ago; 1lb worse off with that rival here but he can go very well again.

7/2

2nd

2

(9)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Ayr

Off Spin

9st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Is 0-16 but he arrives in good form, not seen to ideal effect when a running-on third of nine over C&D 16 days ago; well in the mix from the same mark.

9/2

3rd

6

(7)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Ayr

Off Spin

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Posted sound effort when third of 11 at Pontefract (1m2f, good) 11 days ago and competes off the same mark here but he's 0-15 now and not yet proven on ground slower than good.

5/1

50/1

Form: 69

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in two starts over 6f during the summer; from a successful family and this trip is more in line with his pedigree, but he does look one for nurseries after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(9)

14th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ffos Las

Homeland

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Thomas Faulkner

Behind Racing Demon last time but was only 4l away over 1m and his sole win was at this trip; can run well.

9/4

4th

3

(1)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

17:35 Chepstow

Homeland

9st 8lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

Patchy for Michael Dods last year before being sold for 4,000gns; stays further and wants a good test at this trip; solid comeback from six months off over C&D (soft) nine days ago and he is entitled to improve.

4/1

3rd

1

(8)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

19:55 Chepstow

Homeland

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Thomas Faulkner

Scored for Michael Dods at Ripon (1m2f, good) last July off 5lb higher; sold to join current yard for 4,000gns in October; fifth of 12 on stable debut at Wolverhampton (9.5f, AW) in December; unraced since but on a decent mark.

13/2

17/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
March foal by Sottsass; dam German 1m2f/Listed 10.5f winner (RPR 95), half-sister to numerous winners including Elle Shadow (triple 1m2f Group 3), Elle Gala (German 1m2f Listed), El Comodin (1m2f Listed) and El Vip (useful 1m-1m2f); nicely bred and stable has had a couple of 2yos go in first time in recent weeks; needs a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 3

15:15 Ripon

Elsass

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Disappointing at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) a fortnight ago but prior to that he was 2-2 since being gelded, with convincing wins at Southwell (1m3f, AW) and Hamilton (1m3f, good); could bounce back.

9/2

10th

11

(12)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Elsass

8st 11lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Charlie Johnston

Second on good to firm last June (much better form since); well held when upped to 1m4f for a hot handicap on final start last season; gelded subsequently and won over 1m3f at Southwell (AW) and Hamilton (good; by 5l in good style) in his two races this term; up 8lb and into a much tougher contest, back at 1m4f, but maybe he's putting it all together now.

7/1

8th
10 (3)
Sherlock

16/1

Form: 50

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has finished behind a couple of today's rivals over 7f in his first two starts; gets a mark after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(7)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

20:39 Carlisle

Sherlock

10st 2lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Kevin Ryan

Won a 5f AW event off 6lb lower in February and there was no disgrace in chasing home a Hamilton legend at that track (6f, good to firm) in returning blinkers (retained) nine days ago; he is another that cannot be discounted.

13/2

2nd

3

(1)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Sherlock

9st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Belatedly opened account at Newcastle (5f, AW) in February and has largely remained in good form since, albeit he was a shade disappointing when only sixth of ten at Ripon (6f, good; favourite) three weeks ago; can make his presence felt.

7/2

6th

3

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Thirsk

Sherlock

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Made the breakthrough at Newcastle (5f) in February and fairly consistent since; couldn't master Yes I'm Mali over C&D (runner-up; 18-1) on penultimate start and boxed on from further back (fourth) at Beverley subsequently; a possible.

7/2

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
February foal by Ulysses; half-brother to winners Wise Words (5f; RPR 102), Walaa (6f AW 2yo; 61) and Left Alone (US 5.5f/6f); dam 1m-1m2f winner (98), closely related to useful 6f/1m winner Rudolph Valentino, out of 1m2f winner; already gelded, but yard gets its fair share of winning 2yo newcomers so he is well worth a market check; stable triple-handed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(8)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Hill O Rue

10st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Won twice on ground slower than good last season (1m1f/1m2f) and is still quite lightly raced but looked out of sorts on both appearances this spring and needs recent wind op to have made a difference.

12/1

7th

12

(6)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:05 Haydock

Hill O Rue

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Won handicaps last season when always prominent at Carlisle (1m1f, good to soft) in May and Beverley (1m2f, soft) in September; no show when 14-1 for reappearance one month ago, his first race on good to firm, but it's not hard to think he will be a lot more potent today.

10/1

9th

8

(6)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Redcar

Hill O Rue

8st 12lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Kevin Ryan

Ended last season with his second win of the campaign at Beverley (1m2f, soft) in September; yet to race on ground quicker than good but his progressive profile gives him a squeak.

9/2

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
January foal by Gleneagles; closely related to winners Annandale (1m-1m5f including 2yo; RPR 92) and Belle Of Annandale (2m hurdle), half-brother to three winners including Three Castles (1m-2m Flat, 71; 2m4f hurdle) and Lady McGuffy (7f 2yo; 62); dam 1m AW winner (76); apprentice ridden on debut and winning 2yo newcomers from the yard are rare.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(10)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Ayr

Uncle Liam

9st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Gained a first success when prevailing at Hamilton (1m4f) in June and backed it up with a solid fifth in 1m3f handicap there 18 days ago; not out of things.

6/1

5th

5

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

17:52 Hamilton

Uncle Liam

9st 7lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

11-race maiden prior to his step up to 1m4f at this track (good) 13 days ago which he won by a short head, leading 5f out and fighting off a strong challenge; 3lb rise does not look harsh and he has not had much exposure over this sort of trip; could go well again.

7/2

Form: 95

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten upwards of 10l over 6f/7f in his first two starts (gelded in between); visor is given a go but nurseries may be the way forward after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

(1)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:35 Southwell (AW)

Black Sky

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unplaced in all nine Flat races and was pulled up on hurdling debut at Cartmel only recently when tried in a tongue-tie; cheekpieces now added.

25/1

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

14:20 Cartmel

Black Sky

10st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unplaced in all nine Flat races and now has a basement handicap mark; tongue tied for this change of codes.

50/1

5th

7

(5)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

19:20 Pontefract

Black Sky

8st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unplaced in all eight starts (6f-1m) and his promising fifth at Newcastle (6f; November) hasn't been built on in three runs since; enough to prove back at a mile.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
March foal by Circus Maximus; first foal; dam 7f-8.6f winner (RPR 88), half-sister to 5f winner Woobay, out of unraced sister to 7f 2yo Listed winner Queen Of Poland; already gelded and stable wouldn't be a noted source of winning 2yo newcomers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(9)

6th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ayr

Gaelic Gladiator

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Lucinda Russell

Looks modest and was friendless in the betting when last to complete on handicap debut; much to prove.

33/1

13th

12

(14)

11th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Gaelic Gladiator

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Lucinda Russell

Showed minor ability last autumn on his first two starts; 250-1 and well beaten on his return from a winter break at Carlisle (1m1f, good to soft) last month; would be interesting if supported on handicap debut.

20/1

9

(5)

29th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

20:20 Carlisle

Gaelic Gladiator

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Lucinda Russell

Displayed some ability last autumn on first two starts (8.3f/1m) but not enough to suggest he's the one to be on today; upset in stalls and withdrawn at Musselburgh last month (20-1 at the time).

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.50
Straight Forecast £9.76
Trifecta £37.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bambalam

POSTDATA:

Off Spin

D Express:

Hornsea Bay

RP RATINGS:

Methgal

The Times:

Bambalam

Telegraph:

Bambalam

The Guardian:

Bambalam

Daily Mail:

Bambalam

The Sun:

Bambalam

The Star:

Bambalam

Daily Record:

Bambalam

Daily Mirror:

Off Spin