May 09 / 14.05 Chester

14.05

Good

Boodles Darley EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £20616
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
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Boodles Darley EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 72

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on debut on April 12 (1m3f, good) but left that run behind to finish second at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) 11 days later; open to further improvement and could have a big say if the return to turf isn't an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(5)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Al Wasl Storm

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Came up well short at Group level last summer but resumed his progression back in calmer waters with a 1m4f Newbury handicap debut success (good to firm) last August; this low-mileage sort has the potential for better again in 2026.

9/1

2

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newbury

Al Wasl Storm

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Owen Burrows

First three runs were in maidens and he made all at Chester (1m4f, good) in May; the Derby proved far too tough for him next time and so did 1m6f Group 2 at Royal Ascot 11 days later; his sights are lowered dramatically for this handicap debut and he needs a close look.

4/1

12th

1

(1)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Al Wasl Storm

9st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: Owen Burrows

First three runs were in maidens and he made all at Chester (1m4f, good); the Derby proved far too tough for him only 11 days ago and he was so comprehensively out of his comfort zone that this race too looks hard.

50/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 6-3

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair sixth last November on sole 2yo start (8.6f, AW) and showed improvement when third at Wetherby (1m2f, good to firm) 12 days ago; now takes on males but she's with a top yard and her pedigree provides optimism the step up in trip will suit; possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 3

15:42 Goodwood

Orionis

10st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Yet to race on soft/heavy ground; steadily progressive last term, building up a solid record that featured three wins; good third at Newmarket final outing; cheekpieces worn the last twice are now removed; likely to go well.

9/2

3rd

4

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:50 Newmarket

Orionis

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: William Haggas

Reliable sort who won the first and latest of her four handicaps; wore first-time cheekpieces in the latter at Newbury (1m4f, good to soft) 15 days ago when she went on over 1f out to score comfortably; 7lb rise demands more but she could be set for better still in the headgear.

5/2

4

(5)

19th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Newbury

Orionis

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Came good with two wins in June and has made the frame in two valuable 1m4f fillies' handicaps since (both on good to firm); probably still on the upgrade, and will be a tough nut to crack here if the new cheekpieces have any positive effect.

2/1

OUR TIP
3rd
2 (3)
Ammes

2/1

Form: 4-2

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built upon the promise of last November's debut fourth at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) when second of 14 at Kempton (1m2f, AW) recently; his brother and dam won at up to 1m4f/12.5f respectively and he holds leading claims now up in trip, provided he copes with the switch to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 3

16:30 Redcar

Ammes

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: James Owen

Caught wide when down the field at Lingfield in February on last Flat start and when well beaten over hurdles on his last two runs he was contesting hot 4yo races; on a competitive mark on last summer's Flat form and he was a Listed hurdle runner-up in October; not ruled out back in this code.

6/1

7th

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Ammes

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Good Flat horse who won his first two starts over hurdles before a close second behind Minella Study in a Listed race at Wetherby (2m, good) in October; still has potential in this sphere but he was only 12th in the juvenile handicap at Cheltenham last month and needs to resume his progress in this tough race; visor added.

25/1

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; Teofilo brother to 1m AW winner Tribal Moon (RPR 72); dam 1m winner (including German Listed); there's every chance he has a future but he'll need to be very useful to win this on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(11)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Pole Star

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Won two 1m6f handicaps last term; back-to-form third with a first-time visor at Newmarket (1m6f) four weeks ago, so he re-enters calculations despite earlier lesser efforts over 2m2f and 2m.

9/2

3rd

10

(10)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Pole Star

8st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Won two 1m6f handicaps last term and two respectable efforts in valuable races in late summer; just 10-1 for 2m2f Cesarewitch at Newmarket on final 3yo outing, which did not work out, and he was just 15-8 when fading into fourth of six at Newbury (2m) 16 days ago on first run since he was gelded; connections now turn to a visor and drop him back in trip.

10/1

Form: 622

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Went close at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in March on second start and also runner-up at Musselburgh (12.4f, good to soft) last month; he was no match for the winner in Scotland but that was Caspi Star, who was third in Wednesday's Cheshire Oaks; wears first-time cheekpieces and is in good hands to continue to progress; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

(13)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Wise Counsellor

9st 4lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: Daniel Steele

11-race maiden; left Andrew Balding after running poorly in a seller in September and showed no significant promise in three subsequent hurdle races for new stable.

50/1

8th

12

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Kempton

Wise Counsellor

10st 10lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Daniel Steele

Maiden; eventually regressed on the Flat for previous yard and his two hurdles efforts amount to little.

100/1

7th

11

18th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:45 Huntingdon

Wise Counsellor

10st 9lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Daniel Steele

Pretty useful maiden on Flat at his best (1m6f) for Andrew Balding, but lost his form in that sphere and hurdle/yard debut at Kempton (2m, good) in January did not look promising.

200/1

Form: 3-

Last run: 208 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Backed into 15-2 when 11l third of seven on debut at Goodwood (1m1f, heavy) last October; absent since and plenty of improvement is needed today, but Ryan Moore has been booked for this 140,000gns yearling and his trainer is enjoying an excellent spring; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(5)

13th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

The Pouncing Lion

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Three starts, gelded before showing greatly improved form to win 12-runner maiden at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) one month ago; asserted late on and in good style, suggesting that this longer trip can suit on handicap debut.

9/4

1st

10

(8)

12th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

The Pouncing Lion

9st 3lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Michael Bell

140,000gns yearling; well-held third on Goodwood debut (1m1f, heavy) last October and was last of six when favourite on his Chester reappearance (1m4f, good) last month; may not have handled that track but he's been gelded since but needs a more dynamic effort on this drop back in trip.

15/2

6th

4

(4)

9th May 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

The Pouncing Lion

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Michael Bell

pressed winner, in touch with leaders after 4f, headway over 2f out, edged left and weakened inside final furlong

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £52.30
Straight Forecast £64.28
Trifecta £142.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Ammes

POSTDATA:

Al Wasl Storm

SPOTLIGHT:

The Pouncing Lion

Daily Record:

Wise Counsellor

The Star:

Orionis

LAMBOURN:

Al Wasl Storm

The Times:

Ammes

Telegraph:

Ammes

The Guardian:

Ammes

Daily Mail:

Ammes

D Express:

Ammes

Daily Mirror:

Ammes

The Sun:

Ammes

NEWMARKET:

The Pouncing Lion