April 11 / 15.37 Newbury

15.37

Good

Darley EBF Novice Stakes (GBB/GBB-plus Race)

  • Prize money: £20616
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Darley EBF Novice Stakes (GBB/GBB-plus Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-

Last run: 184 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Similar type to Falconer, having been successful at Nottingham (1m, heavy) in sole 2yo outing; did it readily by 6l and he looks a useful middle-distance prospect; warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Gethin

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Owen Burrows

Progressive colt whose record is 3-6 and who has never finished out of the first two; comfortably bagged AW Listed honours on seasonal debut then posted a highly notable effort in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over C&D (good) even allowing that he received 7lb from the neck winner Ombudsman, whose subsequent Royal Ascot performance puts him in contention for being the world's current best racehorse; sire won this race in 2020; brings strong claims to this first Group 1 attempt.

4/1

2nd

5

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

19:12 Sandown

Gethin

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Owen Burrows

2-2 (heavy/good) prior to finishing second in two Listed races last autumn (1m4f/1m2f, very soft/good to soft); reappeared with convincing Listed win at Kempton (1m2f, AW), an improved performance which bodes very well for his future prospects; acquired by Wathnan Racing since that last run; respected.

11/4

1st

2

(7)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Gethin

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Has endured an abbreviated four-race career under Callum Rodriguez but has shown smart form, ending last year with second-place finishes in Listed events at Saint-Cloud (1m4f, very soft) and Newmarket (1m2f, good to soft); no problem with the five-month absence and is half-brother to two AW winners including Global Giant, who won this race in 2021; major player.

13/8

7/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1-3

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Both starts over 1m on AW, scoring in good style at Southwell then finishing third in Kempton conditions race (winner is an exciting prospect); shapes as if he'll stay 1m2f; leading player on the figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Saddadd

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Progressive colt whose record is 4-8 and who has never finished out of the first three; beaten over 3l by similar type Gethin at Newbury early last season but holds a fighting chance in the rematch, having roughly caught up with that rival in terms of ratings; creditable third to sibling Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (first Group 1 attempt) most recently; particularly interesting returned to Sandown, being 2-2 over C&D, namely wins in a useful handicap last August (soft) and this year's Gordon Richards Stakes (good).

13/2

3rd

6

(6)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 110y

15:55 Curragh

Saddadd

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Rose through the ranks last season, winning back-to-back handicaps at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) and Sandown (1m2f, soft); took the next step forward when landing Group 3 honours at Sandown (1m2f, good) on seasonal return (a race commonly won by high-class performers); enters the big league now but further improvement is by no means ruled out for a four-year-old having just his eighth start.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Colt by Saxon Warrior and the first foal of an unraced daughter of a Nassau winner (RPR 116) for his connections; one of two newcomers for this stable; market instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Sandown

Marnier

10st 1lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Record is only 1-10, the success in AW maiden; however, shaped well in C&D handicap (good) most recently, staying on for third place in his first attempt beyond 1m4f; possibilities off current mark kept to this scenario.

5/2

3rd

1

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:07 Sandown

Marnier

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

His only win from nine starts came in a three-runner AW maiden (1m4f) last November; he has run to a useful level in three handicaps this year (1m3f-1m4f) but stepping up to 1m6f needs to prompt further progress

11/2

6th

7

(6)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Marnier

9st 5lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Can lead; chased home two good ones on his debut at Newbury last April but he hasn't built on that and become expensive to follow; did win three-runner maiden at Lingfield (1m4f) in November but his latest second of six at Southwell (1m3f, also AW) was another reversal for supporters; form chance off same mark but tempting to look elsewhere.

7/2

13/2

Form: 3

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising third of 11 in novice event at Doncaster (7f, good), faring best of the newcomers; elements of pedigree suggest he'll stay this longer trip; open to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(7)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

17:30 Chester

Meblesh

9st 6lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Beat only two rivals in a 1m1f fast-ground handicap at Lingfield but coped well with the 4lb rise to finish close up at Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); firmly enters the reckoning.

5/1

4

(5)

11th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 4

16:20 Ascot

Meblesh

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Lightly raced 3yo won a 1m2f Newbury maiden and doubled his tally in a three-runner 1m1f fast-ground handicap at Lingfield 13 days ago; only 4lb higher and quite fair to factor in further improvement going forwards.

6/1

3

(2)

28th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Lingfield

Meblesh

9st 4lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won by a head in Newbury maiden (1m2f, good) in May; ran creditably on handicap debut at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) next time but soundly beaten when 16-1 at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on latest; against Hot Dancer, this one probably needs overall improvement.

4/1

40/1

Form: 5

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brings the worst form, having recorded an ordinary RPR in 1m AW event at Southwell (finished fifth); may do better in due course but this looks a difficult task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 4

20:12 Goodwood

Dancing Tiger

9st 4lb

J: Owen Lewis

T: Roger Teal

1m2f might be his trip but this far is worth exploring and he went close at Lingfield last time (good) despite starting slowly; very at home on soft ground and has won here; respected.

6/1

2nd

3

(6)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Lingfield

Dancing Tiger

9st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Roger Teal

This looks his optimal trip, having won over it at Doncaster in March, and should be happier back on turf having been unable to take his usual prominent position on the AW a fortnight ago; one of the likelier winners.

4/1

6th

3

(4)

4th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

16:55 Kempton (AW)

Dancing Tiger

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roger Teal

Dual turf winner, the latest on his Doncaster reappearance (1m2f, good to soft) in March; up 4lb and a player if as effective on Polytrack.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
80,000euros yearling; has a useful German pedigree but appears to face a tough introduction in this field; yard also runs major form contender Falconer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

14:53 Ayr

Peaky Blinder

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Andrew Balding

Won at Redcar (1m6f, good to soft) last October on second handicap start and followed up on reappearance at Southwell (2m, AW) in April; tailed off in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) since but showed signs of post-race ataxia; retains potential and could bounce back with a bold show.

13/2

14th

17

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Peaky Blinder

8st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

4yo who has had just six races, on last two occasions winning well in handicaps at Redcar (1m6f, good to soft) in October and Southwell (slowly run 2m, AW; gelded) four weeks ago; raised another 6lb and substantially in class, but he's probably going places and is one for the shortlist.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
120,000euros yearling; Sea The Stars half-brother to 1m winner Clove Hitch (RPR 103), out of well-related dam; one of four newcomers in the field; market helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(5)

27th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:37 Kempton (AW)

Star Chasing

9st 4lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Both outings on turf, better effort when fourth dropped to 1m at Windsor latest; had gelding operation and further wind surgery since; could take another step forward.

12/1

6

(3)

14th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

19:30 Windsor

Star Chasing

9st 4lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

120,000euros yearling; Sea The Stars half-brother to 1m winner Clove Hitch (RPR 103); 25-1 in demanding company for a novice event at Newbury (1m2f, good) three months ago, never dangerous and well beaten before he was hampered 2f out; had wind surgery not long afterwards and he also now has cheekpieces and tongue-strap.

25/1

7th

9

(6)

11th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:37 Newbury

Star Chasing

9st 4lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

120,000euros yearling; Sea The Stars half-brother to 1m winner Clove Hitch (RPR 103), out of well-related dam; one of four newcomers in the field; market helpful.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
210,000gns yearling; Cracksman half-brother to 6f winner Gutsy Girl (RPR 97); already gelded and has no major entries but represents notable connections; check the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(1)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:23 Sandown

Dangerman

9st 6lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Got his act together last season once the blinkers went on, going back-to-back over C&D (good) before finishing third behind the well-handicapped Saddadd (third in a Group 1 this season) on his return visit (soft); interesting on all that as he's still on a fair mark, and perhaps Epsom didn't float his boat when reappearing in April.

9/2

4th

7

(3)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Dangerman

8st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won two in a row at Sandown (1m2f, good) last summer when these blinkers went on and third there (1m2f, soft) next time; appeared unsuited by the step up to 1m4f at Newmarket in October; this lightly raced 4yo is in excellent hands and could rediscover his progressive ways with a big run today.

11/4

9th

3

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:30 Newmarket

Dangerman

9st 4lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Much better when blinkers were enlisted over Sandown's 1m2f on last three starts, with clearcut wins on good ground on first two occasions (made virtually all second time) and a creditable third on latest; 1m4f (tried twice before the blinkers) now looks worth another go.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 1-

Last run: 163 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Came from off the pace to beat an odds-on shot by half a length, pair clear, at Nottingham (1m, soft) in sole 2yo start; bred to be suited by middle distances; one of the main contenders.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

11th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:37 Newbury

Falconer

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Came from off the pace to beat an odds-on shot by half a length, pair clear, at Nottingham (1m, soft) in sole 2yo start; bred to be suited by middle distances; one of the main contenders.

3/1

1

(7)

11th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:37 Newbury

Falconer

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

led, broke down and headed 2f out, soon pulled up quickly

3/1

1st

3

(8)

30th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

13:05 Nottingham

Falconer

9st 2lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Fourth foal; New Bay close relation to 1m2f winner Lyric (RPR 87), half-brother to winners Pretending (1m3f AW, 85; 2m4f hurdle) and Queen Charlotte (8.6f; 81); dam 1m4f winner (78) out of French Listed-placed 9.5f-1m4f winner; from a leading yard and the market should give big clues.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.30
Straight Forecast £12.38
Trifecta £113.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gethin

POSTDATA:

Saddadd

The Guardian:

Falconer

Telegraph:

Meblesh

LAMBOURN:

Gethin

The Times:

Gethin

Daily Mail:

Gethin

D Express:

Gethin

The Sun:

Gethin

The Star:

Falconer

NEWMARKET:

Saddadd

Daily Mirror:

Saddadd

Daily Record:

Saddadd