15.45
SoftDarley EBF Novice Stakes (Winning 3yo To Receive Free Entry To 2025 Betfred St Leger) (GBB/GBBPlus)
- Prize money: £21600
- 1m 3f 197y
- Class 2
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
7/4 (Won)
- Win: £2.20
- Place: £1.20
Form: 5-270
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 4lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 (3) |
1st May 2026 Standard 1m 4f 98y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
Powerful yard, who won this two years ago, had a few disappoint at short prices of late; this lightly raced 400,000gns yearling holds obvious claims, having been gelded since winning his novice last summer (highly tried a couple of times prior) though. |
4/5 |
|
1st 5 (1) |
24th Jul 2025 Soft 1m 3f 197y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Solid second in Doncaster maiden on seasonal debut (1m2f; useful winner has advertised the form since); seemingly out of his depth in Epsom Listed event and Royal Ascot handicap since; respected back in calmer waters. |
7/4 |
5/2
- Place: £1.60
Form: 74- BF
Last run: 274 days
W: 9st 4lb
3 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 4 (2) |
26th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 3 |
9st 5lb |
1,000,000gns yearling; progressed in three qualifying runs and he readily fought off a challenge to make winning handicap debut at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last month; 5lb rise is only a footnote for an unexposed sort who looks like he'll relish this step up in trip. |
7/2 |
|
2 (7) |
11th Aug 2025 Standard To Slow 1m 3f 219y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
1,000,000gns yearling; progressive form in three starts on turf without living up to his breeding, finishing second of five on his return from nine months off in a valuable Doncaster novice (1m4f, good; first start since being gelded) 18 days ago; may step up again now handicapping with stable 67-210 (32%) here in past five seasons. |
11/4 |
|
2nd 2 (2) |
24th Jul 2025 Soft 1m 3f 197y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Godolphin runner who is well bred and cost 1,000,000gns as a yearling; failed to meet expectations in two Newmarket events last term but perhaps he'll do better as a 3yo and now gelded; not written off. |
5/2 |
5/2
Form: 1-
Last run: 306 days
W: 9st 10lb
3 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 9 (4) |
19th Sep 2026 Good 1m 2f 0y Class 2 |
8st 12lb |
Ran creditably at Sandown last time, taking record in 1m2f handicaps to 213; runner-up in both attempts under Jamie Spencer, including over 1m on this card 12 months ago; may still have more to offer over this distance; very solid claims. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 12 (6) |
29th Aug 2026 Good 1m 1f 209y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Only 2lb higher than when winning over C&D (good to firm) in July, and he's still well handicapped judged on the pick of his form from last autumn; saddle slipped when down the field in the Shergar Cup three weeks ago; tactically versatile, and plenty of rain would not inconvenience him in the slightest; has rock-solid credentials. |
9/1 |
|
10th 10 (3) |
8th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Looked as though he needed further than 1m when a rallying fourth at Newmarket in June and he duly obliged returned to 1m2f at Sandown; didn't have a lot in hand that day but only went up 2lb and he could approve for going even further this afternoon. |
7/1 |
14/1
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 9st 4lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 (5) |
26th Apr 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Raised his game for two 1m4f wins this winter and ran respectably in another AW race three weeks ago after 81 days off; a close call on turf on handicap debut (1m6f, good) last November gives plenty of encouragement that he will prove as effective moving away from AW this afternoon; in the mix. |
5/2 |
|
3rd 2 (2) |
4th Apr 2026 Standard 1m 4f 51y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Didn't need to improve to win an uncompetitive C&D novice in the winter but did it impressively and he bettered that at Southwell (off 2lb lower than today) next time, coming from off a steady pace to get up in a busy finish; remains open to further improvement. |
2/1 |
8/1
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 9st 4lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 (4) |
24th Jul 2025 Soft 1m 3f 197y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
46,000euros foal; Persian King half-brother to three French winners, notably Lady Day (1m/1m1f including Listed; RPR 105), out of unraced half-sister to dual Arc winner Treve; heed the market signals. |
8/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £5.30 |
| Straight Forecast | £5.60 |
| Trifecta | £9.50 |