May 01 / 18.15 Chelmsford (AW)

18.15

Standard

Racing Value At bet365 Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Racing Value At bet365 Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Mostly sunny

1st
7 (2)
Kurakka

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 43-

Last run: 148 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed a fair level of ability in two 1m runs at Kempton in late 2024; bred to stay this longer trip but he will need to settle better; top on RPR and with the potential for more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(3)

30th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Kurakka

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Successful in May in a novice at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) and in taking style on handicap/turf debut at Haydock (1m4f, good); creditable third of eight, again from off the pace, in valuable contest at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) 19 days ago, which offers the prospect of further progress back at 1m4f.

8/1

3rd

4

(7)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket (July)

Kurakka

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Made it third-time lucky when winning Chelmsford novice (1m2f, AW) in May and he followed up on handicap/turf debut at Haydock (1m4f, good) four weeks later; that latest form has taken some knocks but he scored in good style from off the steady pace and is open to more improvement; respected up 7lb.

5/1

1st

2

(6)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 4

20:25 Haydock

Kurakka

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

All three runs on Polytrack, improving to win 11-runner novice at Chelmsford (1m2f) on reappearance in clearcut fashion with the front two clear; turf debut asks a question but he's likely to stay and looks a promising handicap debutant.

5/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 57

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in two runs in Dubai in January but he showed ability and there were some smart opponents in those contests; in much calmer waters today and there is encouragement for AW on pedigree; not a certain stayer on breeding but he's still more interesting than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(10)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Sandown

Desert Shadow

9st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Mostly campaigned over middle distances but the recent drop to 7f has been the making of him; surged clear under Oisin Murphy to win over C&D (good to firm; unraced on softer than good) three weeks ago and a 9lb rise looks fully justified; thriving and needs taking seriously once more.

15/8

1st

1

(4)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:23 Sandown

Desert Shadow

10st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Made it 11th time lucky when seeing off three rivals at Lingfield (7.5f, good to firm) three weeks ago but the majority of those starts have been over 1m2f+ so he is unexposed over this sort of trip; Oisin Murphy also has a very good record for the stable.

11/4

1st

3

(2)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 135y

Class 3

19:20 Lingfield

Desert Shadow

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Saeed bin Suroor

0-10 although he did 'win' at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm; demoted for interference) last August; best run since when second to Classic Encounter at Redcar (1m, good to firm; first-time visor) when last seen in May; gets a weights pull and a form case can be made.

7/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 6

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to 1m2f Listed winner Al Asifah; market drifter in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket (1m, good) on debut two weeks ago when he looked in need of the experience and didn't seem at ease on the track in the closing stages; could prove a different proposition with that run behind him and he's an interesting contender now upped in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(13)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:15 Hamilton

Altareq

8st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won over 1m2f at Ayr in July (good) and excuses for two heavy defeats since; can take a keen hold, so not sure to be suited by this step up to 1m4f.

16/1

11th

4

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

19:00 Hamilton

Altareq

10st 0lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Had been shaping well since joining this stable, including when third of five here over 8.5f in June, prior to getting off the mark at Ayr (1m2f, good) two starts ago; can have a line put through his latest effort in the John Smith's Cup having encountered trouble against the rail; makes the shortlist.

8/1

19th

18

(18)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Altareq

8st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Lightly raced 4yo who was an eye-catching third from the rear behind Warrant Holder over C&D (good) in May on his stable/handicap debut, following a year off, and four runs later he got off the mark at Ayr (1m2f, good) last Sunday when making most of the running; back up in grade under a 5lb penalty but he may well have more left in the tank.

12/1

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
185,000euros foal, 130,000gns yearling; first foal of an 11.4f/12.4f winner (including AW; RPR 86); hooded for debut; check the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 1

18:30 Windsor

Respond

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Just ahead of Warrant Holder in a York handicap last time when neither were at their best; lightly raced 4yo with two 1m2f handicap wins to his name this season and, when second on good to soft at Epsom, he beat all bar a Group horse; stays this far.

10/1

9th

1

(20)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Respond

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Lightly raced 4yo who made it two wins for the year when scoring easily at Chester (10.3f, good) in May then finished second of 16 at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) on Oaks day, albeit no match for the highly progressive winner; yard has won three of the last seven runnings and he could be a contender.

12/1

2nd

4

(15)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Respond

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Appeared to act on good to soft last term (unraced on soft); has gone from strength to strength this year, first on AW but most strikingly when returned to turf for a dominant, front-running display as 10-11 favourite in 11-runner race at Chester (1m2f, good); 9lb higher today but highly respected.

11/2

Form: 35

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
He has run to a similar level in two 1m runs at Southwell and Kempton this spring; not sure to need this far on pedigree but he remains capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(6)

1st May 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Prepare To Strike

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

He has run to a similar level in two 1m runs at Southwell and Kempton this spring; not sure to need this far on pedigree but he remains capable of better.

8/1

5th

9

(6)

1st May 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Prepare To Strike

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

He has run to a similar level in two 1m runs at Southwell and Kempton this spring; not sure to need this far on pedigree but he remains capable of better.

8/1

5th

10

(11)

7th Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Prepare To Strike

9st 1lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

prominent, weakened over 1f out

11/2

33/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 202 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
66-1 for his Kempton debut last October (1m) and was well beaten having never travelled; gelded since; not easily recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Savvy Stellar

9st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: S Woods

Only three ran but he beat a Prescott improver with the pair clear over C&D a month ago and, defying his pedigree, saw the trip out well; now has 2lb higher mark but Jack Callan is enlisted to claim 5lb.

11/4

3

(1)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Savvy Stellar

8st 11lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: S Woods

Not bred for this sort of trip but turned in his best effort to date last Tuesday, upped to 1m6f on his Tapeta debut; that was only a 0-55 in which he again started a big price but it gave something to build on.

6/1

8

(13)

16th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Savvy Stellar

9st 2lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: S Woods

Hasn't shown much in five starts over 1m-1m4f on turf/Polytrack; little to suggest stepping up to this trip will make the difference.

25/1

Form: 46

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped well in a slowly-run 8.6f novice at Wolverhampton on his debut in March; pulled hard when remote in a 1m2f novice at Newmarket 15 days ago (22-1); likely to do better at some point but will need to settle to fulfil his potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(11)

13th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Sandown

Plymouth Brethren

9st 4lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: James Owen

Hasn't progressed from his debut run and beat one home on handicap debut at Windsor (1m3f) when tried in a hood; others are more intriguing.

14/1

4

(7)

19th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

19:50 Windsor

Plymouth Brethren

9st 6lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: James Owen

Shaped with promise on his Wolverhampton debut (8.6f) in March but he's struggled after pulling hard in his last two starts (1m2f); still early days and hood is now added on handicap debut but he needs to settle much better to make an impact.

10/1

4

(7)

19th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

19:50 Windsor

Plymouth Brethren

9st 6lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: James Owen

Shaped with promise on his Wolverhampton debut (8.6f) in March but he's struggled after pulling hard in his last two starts (1m2f); still early days and hood is now added on handicap debut but he needs to settle much better to make an impact.

10/1

Form: 4

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Slowly away and beaten 15l when fourth of seven on his Nottingham debut three weeks ago (1m2f, good); apprentice-ridden this time; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

15

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Belaya River

10st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Flat background; mildly progressive when first then second in two 4yo hurdles but he ran miserably switched to handicaps at Sedgefield where his jumping didn't stand the test; returning to slower ground may help but unlikely that he's on that great a mark.

20/1

5th

5

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:40 Sedgefield

Belaya River

11st 7lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

A fair staying maiden on the Flat for Charlie Fellowes; has made a positive start in this sphere, scoring at Catterick (2m) in January and backing it up with a good second of seven in 2m Kelso juvenile 32 days ago; not out of things now going into handicaps.

15/8

2nd

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 3

16:00 Kelso

Belaya River

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Harry Derham

Modest maiden on the Flat but showed hints of promise on first two hurdle starts before making all at Catterick (1m7f, soft) last month; could continue to improve and trainer has won the last two runnings of this race.

11/4

OUR TIP

100/1

Form:

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in two bumpers and finished a remote 11th on his recent Flat debut (1m2f, AW; 150-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(2)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:20 Goodwood

Senor Cortez

10st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: John Butler

Clearly a stayer on the upgrade having brought up an AW hat-trick with a convincing defeat of Maxident, who had a target on his back up the straight at Kempton (2m AW); worthy of the 7lb rise but how he'll deal with rain-hit ground is the glaring concern.

7/2

1st

4

(10)

10th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Senor Cortez

9st 12lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John Butler

Has turned things around with wins at Southwell (1m6f) and Lingfield (1m5f), latterly defying a penalty by one length; the 4lb rise could find him out in this higher grade and Jack Callan, who was aboard for those wins, no longer claims.

7/1

1st

1

(1)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Lingfield (AW)

Senor Cortez

10st 0lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John Butler

Has a patchy record but he turned things around with an 5l win over 1m6f at Southwell (AW; 7-4 favourite) last Sunday; looks well treated under a penalty for that success and his penultimate win was at this track; strong contender.

9/4

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
72,000gns yearling, 72,000gns breeze-up 2yo; sixth foal; closely related to winners Positive Impact (7f turf/1m AW; RPR 109) and Desert Rhapsody (French 1m), half-brother to three winners including Turntable (1m-1m2f; 101); dam 6f AW 2yo/1m turf winner (100); hooded for debut; stable, who also run Kurakka, not renowned for winning newcomers but pedigree dictates he needs a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bedford

8st 13lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Alan King

Has hindered himself by taking a good hold in a couple of 2m events since handicapping; chance depends on whether he settles better.

10/1

7th

8

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Bedford

8st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Alan King

Beaten a long way in three qualifying runs over 1m2f/1m4f in May/June, including 22l last of three at Salisbury on the final one; has had wind surgery ahead of this handicap debut after a 100-day break; not bred to be a stayer but is a half-brother to some useful sorts and needs a betting check in a race where nothing arrives with compelling claims.

7/1

1

(2)

10th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Salisbury

Bedford

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Alan King

Hooded for both starts to date but he still pulled hard when said to have become unbalanced early at Newbury last month; there must be a good chance he over-races again, in a small field upped in trip, and he's up against it even if settling better.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
In need of the experience on his debut in a Huntingdon junior bumper in November (2m, good to soft) but he still managed to win comfortably and the form has been franked by the runner-up (fourth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham); bred to have a future on the Flat and the standard to aim at isn't daunting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Herbygoesbananas

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Landed a bumper for Chris Gordon in November 2024; placed at Fontwell twice recently and should be suited by this step up in trip; not out of this.

9/1

3rd

6

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Herbygoesbananas

11st 8lb

J: J P O’Neill

T: Henrietta C Knight

Bumper winner; 6-1 for handicap debut over 2m3f here four weeks ago and trailed the winner by 19l; only 2lb lower now.

7/1

3rd

8

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Herbygoesbananas

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Ready bumper winner in 2024; showed only minor promise in first three hurdle races, with best effort probably his sixth over C&D (soft) on second occasion, but is open to improvement on this handicap debut.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.20
Straight Forecast £15.41
Trifecta £34.50

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Altareq

The Times:

Kurakka

POSTDATA:

Prepare To Strike

SPOTLIGHT:

Desert Shadow

Daily Mail:

Altareq

D Express:

Altareq

The Sun:

Altareq

The Star:

Altareq

Telegraph:

Prepare To Strike

The Guardian:

Kurakka

Daily Mirror:

Kurakka

Daily Record:

Kurakka