July 11 / 18.25 Chester

18.25

Good

EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (For Horses In Bands B, C And D) (GBB/IRE Incentive Race)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 6f 17y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (For Horses In Bands B, C And D) (GBB/IRE Incentive Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

Form: 31 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 10lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Needed the experience when a promising third on his Leicester debut and built on that when winning on rain-softened ground over C&D four weeks ago (few of those behind have been beaten at short prices since); needs more under a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 1

15:20 Chester

Calico Blue

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Progressive sprinter; chased home Jazl in a Newmarket handicap last month (2lb worse off today) before improving his flawless C&D record to 3-3 with an easy win eight days ago; worth his place in this stronger company and he looks sure to go well once again.

11/4

1st

2

(2)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

15:48 Chester

Calico Blue

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Dual C&D novice winner last season and his handicap form this year is strong, finishing fourth in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) before returning to 6f to finish a neck second of 13 to Jazl in a traditionally hot race at the Newmarket July meeting (good to firm again); a 2lb nudge doesn't look enough to stop him from a good draw.

4/5

2nd

5

(9)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Calico Blue

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Juvenile wins came in 6f novices; has held his own in 5f handicaps this year, doing well on the far side when fourth of 27 at Royal Ascot (good to firm) just behind Ten Carat Harry; return to 6f can suit; better claims than most.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 73

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Got buzzed up after a slow start on his Salisbury debut, but didn't look to have any excuses when third of four last time; both runs came over 5f and he'll need to improve for the extra furlong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(1)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Baybe Driver

9st 4lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Finished behind Hello Isla over C&D 19 days ago but he ran creditably in the circumstances and new blinkers could prompt extra; dropped 2lb and he's one to consider.

14/1

7

(4)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

14:50 Southwell (AW)

Baybe Driver

9st 6lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Beaten around 5l when third of four at Goodwood (5f, good to firm) but he went backwards from that at Chester (6f, good) on his next start; reported to have never travelled when beating only one rival on handicap debut at Leicester (5f, good) five weeks ago and now steps back up to 6f for AW debut.

18/1

6th

2

(8)

30th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:03 Leicester

Baybe Driver

9st 8lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Like Dandy's Rocket, his second start stands out and he's been gelded before switching to nurseries; this half-brother to five winners makes more appeal though.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Late-foaled 68,000euros yearling who's a half-brother to a 5f 2yo winner out of a 1m AW 2yo winner; withdrawn ahead of his intended Epsom debut recently having got loose at the start (9-1 at the time in a field of six).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

22

(30)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Capall Rasa

8st 11lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Tom Dascombe

7f/1m AW wins late last year; given every chance when 3l behind Laureate Crown at Sandown two runs back (1m, good) and then failed to make any impression in Newbury's always-strong London Gold Cup; pulling hard was the last thing he needed when upped to 1m2f in the latter but it wasn't the ideal preparation for this tough a test.

66/1

9th

8

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newbury

Capall Rasa

8st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Hope for 1m2f on pedigree; ended last term with 7f and 1m AW wins; led over 2f out to over 1f out when creditable fourth of seven in handicap at Sandown (1m, good; 25-1) three weeks ago, and perhaps he needed that race, but others seem to have more striking claims.

20/1

4th

6

(7)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Capall Rasa

9st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Tom Dascombe

Improved upon first two runs (both on turf) to win at Southwell (7f, AW) last October, and followed up on handicap debut there (1m, AW); had just three rivals to beat last time and he's 12lb higher today with something to prove on turf, but is not discounted given the ease of that last win.

12/1

Form: 9

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
£36,000 first foal of a dual Kempton winner who was well drawn when below market expectations on his 5f debut in May; yard had a couple of 2yo winners last Friday but their strike-rate with juveniles is down this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(6)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 4

16:00 Brighton

Grey Horizon

9st 9lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Scott Dixon

Progressive of late, despite having had plenty of racing, adding to his C&D win in May (off 9lb lower) when going in at Bath last time (off 3lb lower); there's other pace in here, however, and he'll need another career-best effort.

6/1

1st

4

(2)

15th Jul 2026

Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

14:31 Bath

Grey Horizon

9st 10lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Scott Dixon

Experienced 3yo who was winning for third time this year when scoring at Brighton (6f, good to firm) in May; short-headed at Chepstow (6f, good to firm) 12 days ago by one who was completing a hat-trick; major contender.

4/1

2nd

6

(7)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:53 Chepstow

Grey Horizon

9st 3lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Gained his sixth success when winning at Brighton (6f, good to firm) in May and ran well again at Windsor (6f, good to soft) next time, but failed to beat a rival at Ffos Las ten days ago and needs to bounce back.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
April-foaled £27,000 yearling who holds a couple of notable entries later in the season; stamina on the dam's side (7f 2yo winner) and is a half-brother to winning stayer/hurdler Recoup; the market will guide from the inside stall.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(1)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

14:13 Thirsk

Hatamoto

10st 13lb

J: Miss Rebecca Burley

T: Tim Easterby

Has form figures of 2112 in last four turf attempts and gained one of the wins over C&D (good to firm); ran well at Ayr (good to soft) most recently; steadily progressive and commands respect.

7/2

2nd

9

(6)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Ayr

Hatamoto

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Came good with wins at Beverley (8.4f) and Thirsk (1m, again on good to firm) last month and had an excuse in his hat-trick bid at Southwell (suffered interference) two weeks ago; only 2lb higher than for his last success and he could kick on again back on turf.

11/2

6th

13

(2)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

16:00 Southwell (AW)

Hatamoto

9st 4lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Has improved this year, recording back-to-back wins at Beverley and Thirsk (around 1m; making all) this month, the latter in first-time cheekpieces (retained); should give it a good go on AW debut if taking to the surface.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
13,000gns foal, 30,000gns yearling who's related to several winners, notably Dear My Friend (successful on 2yo debut); holds a couple of sales race entries in due course and is well drawn for a trainer who boasts a decent record with juveniles here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

14:35 Cartmel

Wicksey

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Won three middle-distance AW handicaps in February and kept on best to beat four rivals on hurdling debut at Stratford in June (2m, good to firm; runner-up won there last month); ground slower than good would be new to him but he's an obvious one to consider.

5/4

1st

5

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

14:10 Stratford

Wicksey

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Won three in a row on AW (1m2f/1m4f) in February and he was a creditable second when upped to 1m6f in a Redcar handicap (good to firm) last month; takes on two previous winners on this hurdling debut but he has some fair form on the Flat and he's not ruled out.

8/1

2nd

2

(2)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

15:20 Redcar

Wicksey

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

3-3 in AW handicaps but record on turf reads 009; made all on his penultimate start and could be interesting if similar tactics are employed, but his suitability to grass remains an issue.

9/4

Form: 4 BF

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Redcar maiden in which he made his debut in May hasn't worked out at all but he started favourite and is evidently felt capable of better; yard still to get rolling with 2yos for the season and be interesting to see how he goes in the market this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Blazing

9st 5lb

J: Archie Young

T: Edward Bethell

Best form when second in a Chester maiden in July; has been below that form since, including in a couple of nurseries; first-time cheekpieces worn last time are discarded and he needs to show more.

16/1

11

(6)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

14:15 Redcar

Blazing

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Edward Bethell

Promising second at Chester (6f, good) on second start but a lesser run followed at Newcastle (6f, AW) and soundly beaten on recent nursery debut at Musselburgh (5f, good to soft); has to raise game in first-time cheekpieces.

12/1

6

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

17:18 Musselburgh

Blazing

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Has shown ability over 6f, notably when second at Chester, while shaping as if this drop in trip will suit on nursery debut; interesting.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
45,000euros yearling, 10,000gns vendor 2yo (April breeze-up sales); trainer among the winners and had a 2yo newcomer go in at Ripon on Monday but stall 11 isn't ideal for this first foal of sprinter Declaring Love, who improved with time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(7)

21st Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Palace Of Gold

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: James Tate

Slowly away when down the field at Chester (6f, good; 6-1) on debut 41 days ago; now switches to AW (dam an AW winner) and steps up to 7f; more needed but he may well be capable of leaving that effort behind.

10/1

8

(11)

11th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

18:25 Chester

Palace Of Gold

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: James Tate

45,000euros yearling, 10,000gns vendor 2yo (April breeze-up sales); trainer among the winners and had a 2yo newcomer go in at Ripon on Monday but stall 11 isn't ideal for this first foal of sprinter Declaring Love, who improved with time.

10/1

16/1

Form: 7

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 11lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Trainer enjoying a decent season with 2yos and won this two years ago; this filly finished well held on her Pontefract debut a month ago, having made the early running, and is drawn wide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(7)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

14:10 Carlisle

Flybar

8st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Hugo Palmer

Ended five-race 2yo season with respectable fifth in Chester nursery (7f, good to soft; first-time visor) in September and last month's reappearance defeat can be overlooked, given she was badly hampered at the start; not yet fully exposed; could have a say.

9/1

9th

9

(5)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:27 Catterick

Flybar

8st 13lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Hugo Palmer

Modest efforts over 6f/7f last term, including in two nurseries, with a visor tried on final start (7f); on a lowly mark, and with her stable gong well, is one to consider on first try at 5f.

9/2

5th

9

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

13:55 Chester

Flybar

8st 5lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Hugo Palmer

Well held in three qualifying runs and same story on nursery debut at Southwell (6f, AW; 28-1) two weeks ago; still early days and visor is now added but she needs a transformation on this step up to 7f; one of three runners for Hugo Palmer.

16/1

Form: 6

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 9lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Trainer not known for 2yos and this filly started 150-1 when last of six (behind Lc Tiffen) on her 7f soft-ground debut recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(9)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 80y

Class 6

15:55 Ffos Las

Independent Angel

9st 0lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Lisa Williamson

Ten-race maiden; gave good account when fourth over nearly 6f at Carlisle (soft) in June but did not get competitive at Chepstow (6f, good to firm) 12 days ago; back over this trip for first time since 2yo debut.

33/1

7th

7

(4)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

15:51 Chepstow

Independent Angel

9st 0lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Lisa Williamson

Far-from-solid maiden whose chance depends on whether she's capable of backing up latest effort, namely close fourth at Carlisle (6f, soft); has weak claims on previous form.

7/1

4th

11

(8)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

15:45 Carlisle

Independent Angel

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Lisa Williamson

Has achieved little in terms of form and two duck eggs this season highlight her poor chance.

100/1

Form: 5

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 9lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Like stablemate Independent Angel started 150-1 and finished well beaten having hung left on her recent Ffos Las debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

28th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Ffos Las

Lc Tiffen

9st 6lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Lisa Williamson

Beaten under 5l at Ripon in July but still went off at 80-1 last time at Haydock (1m2f, good) where she won narrowly in a small field; only 1lb higher and looks mildly progressive.

8/1

1st

6

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

13:50 Haydock

Lc Tiffen

8st 4lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Lisa Williamson

0-7; some improvement when third at Ripon (1m2f, good to firm; 100-1) 12 days ago, but she's up against it here from 4lb out of the weights; usual hood left off today.

40/1

3rd

3

(7)

27th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

18:00 Ripon

Lc Tiffen

9st 2lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Lisa Williamson

String of ordinary efforts at huge prices, the step up to 1m not helping here last month; no obvious appeal.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.20
Straight Forecast £5.68
Trifecta £45.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Calico Blue

SPOTLIGHT:

Wicksey

Daily Mail:

Blazing

D Express:

Capall Rasa

The Times:

Hatamoto

The Sun:

Wicksey

TOPSPEED:

Calico Blue

POSTDATA:

Calico Blue

NEWMARKET:

Calico Blue

Telegraph:

Calico Blue

The Guardian:

Calico Blue

Daily Mirror:

Calico Blue

Daily Record:

Calico Blue

The Star:

Blazing