August 29 / 15.05 Thirsk

15.05

Good

British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands B-D) (EBF Restricted Race Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3780
  • 0m 7f 218y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
RTV
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British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands B-D) (EBF Restricted Race Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 32

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for an impressive winner but still stepped up a little on his debut when second of seven over 1m at Newbury (good) a fortnight ago; likely to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Be The Standard

9st 1lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Hugo Palmer

Couldn't justify favouritism on debut and bumped into the subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner next time, but made no mistake at Thirsk (1m, good) in August; flopped when favourite for five-runner nursery at Newcastle (1m, AW) in October but gelded since; sire gets plenty who stay; not dismissed.

10/1

4th

1

(1)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Be The Standard

9st 11lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Hugo Palmer

Couldn't justify favouritism at Haydock on debut (7f, good) but shaped well in third; second to Royal Lodge winner in a hot Newbury maiden (1m, good) next time and he made no mistake at Thirsk a fortnight later (1m, good; form worked out well); open to further progress and could have been let into nurseries lightly.

Evs

50/1

  • Place: £14.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
12,000gns half-brother to five winners, including Carpathian (German 1m7f/2m3f Listed; RPR 103), Yellow Tiger (1m3f Flat, 87; 2m hurdle) and Payment Plan (2m AW; 66); bred to have a future but it's likely best to look elsewhere this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

17

(21)

4th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Newmarket

Accidental Bid

8st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Adrian Nicholls

12,000gns half-brother to five winners; outran odds of 150-1 to finish a clear second at Thirsk (1m, good) and the winning favourite, who was given a fright, had previously chased home last week's Royal Lodge winner Bow Echo; with improvement on the cards, he's probably better in at these weights than a good many.

12/1

2nd

9

(10)

29th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:05 Thirsk

Accidental Bid

9st 0lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Adrian Nicholls

12,000gns half-brother to five winners, including Carpathian (German 1m7f/2m3f Listed; RPR 103), Yellow Tiger (1m3f Flat, 87; 2m hurdle) and Payment Plan (2m AW; 66); bred to have a future but it's likely best to look elsewhere this time.

50/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 6

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
40-1, promise amidst greenness on recent 7f Newbury debut; that form has yet to be tested but it had the look of a decent race and this Make Believe colt should benefit from the step up to 1m; gets the vote.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:25 Lingfield

Magical Merlot

9st 2lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Ed Dunlop

Often pulled hard last year and was gelded over the winter; this season his issue has been blowing the start and that's what cost him any chance last time; up to winning off this mark but has to be considered risky now.

7/2

4th

7

(8)

6th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 2

16:10 Musselburgh

Magical Merlot

8st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Ed Dunlop

Brighton novice winner last season at 1m; gelded in November; perhaps needed his first run back and then he stuck on gamely for a close third at Windsor (1m, good to firm); could step up again but will need to in this better race.

2/1

3rd

11

(5)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

19:47 Windsor

Magical Merlot

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Ed Dunlop

Ended four-race 2yo campaign with clear win in Brighton novice (1m, good to firm) in October; never looked like winning on his seasonal/handicap debut at Southwell last month; may need more of a test.

12/1

9/2

Form: 62 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has run twice over 7f on good to firm, stepping up a little on his debut when second at Brighton 22 days ago; the winner gave the form a bit of a boost when running well under a penalty at Goodwood last weekend but this step up to 1m is slight worry given he's pulled hard on both starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Leicester

Cashbox

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Charles Hills

Ended his 2yo campaign with a pair of nursery wins; unplaced in two runs in 2026, including tried in blinkers three weeks ago; drops in class in new headgear; not a solid option.

10/1

7th

10

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Sandown

Cashbox

8st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charles Hills

Won back-to-back nurseries in the autumm, over 6f and 7f; gelded in January; he was last on comeback run at Newmarket, since when he's also finished out the back at Windsor only to be declared a non-runner for having his leg stuck in the gates when the stalls opened; plenty to prove now and goes in blinkers.

33/1

3

(6)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

19:47 Windsor

Cashbox

9st 7lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Charles Hills

Won back-to-back nurseries in the autumm, over 6f at Lingfield and 7f at Newmarket; gelded prior to his reappearance at Newmarket four weeks ago, a race where he dropped away to finish last of the 13 runners; same mark here and still has to prove his stamina.

16/1

Form: 41

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 11lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built on debut form when leading on the line in 7f Epsom maiden (good to firm) six weeks ago; those in behind haven't done much for the form since but he has the potential for better now stepping up to 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 York

Big Song

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Harry Charlton

Made it 2-4 with commanding win on nursery debut at Newmarket (1m, good) a fortnight ago; the drop back to 7f isn't an obvious positive but he's nevertheless high on the list after that latest performance.

4/1

2

(3)

25th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Newmarket

Big Song

9st 8lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Harry Charlton

Got up in final stride at Epsom (7f, good to firm) in July on second start; only fifth in Thirsk novice (1m, good) since but jockey reported he slipped turning for home; retains potential and not ruled out on nursery debut.

15/2

5th

1

(4)

29th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:05 Thirsk

Big Song

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Harry Charlton

Built on debut form when leading on the line in 7f Epsom maiden (good to firm) six weeks ago; those in behind haven't done much for the form since but he has the potential for better now stepping up to 1m.

11/4

Form: 4

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed ability on recent Beverley debut over an extended 7f but he was beaten 11l and will need to find a chunk of improvement to go close.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

Stoneacre Donny

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Narrow winner of a novice at Thirsk (7f, soft) last September and has been placed in all five handicaps since, including C&D; went down only to a progressive sort at Redcar (1m2f, good) last time and should give another good account.

11/2

2nd

1

(6)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

16:40 Redcar

Stoneacre Donny

9st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Narrow winner of a novice at Thirsk (7f, soft) last September and has been placed in all four handicaps since; may have finished closer with a clearer passage when third of ten at York (1m2f, good) last time; another big run seems likely back down in grade.

9/2

3rd

4

(6)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:25 York

Stoneacre Donny

9st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

33-1 winner of a 7f novice at Thirsk last September; improved form from off the pace again in all three handicaps since, this season's over 1m4f at Doncaster and York; the latter was a warm race in which he shaped as if a return to 1m2f would be fine; up 4lb but on the shortlist.

4/1

Form: 8

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
50-1, hinted at ability when eighth of 16 on 7f York debut five weeks ago but not enough to suggest he's likely to strike here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(7)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Wetherby

Our Randolph

9st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Needs to improve on his two runs in 7f/1m novices last season when sent off at 50-1 and 20-1.

25/1

7th

11

(7)

29th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:05 Thirsk

Our Randolph

9st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

50-1, hinted at ability when eighth of 16 on 7f York debut five weeks ago but not enough to suggest he's likely to strike here.

16/1

8th

11

(14)

25th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:38 York

Our Randolph

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

2,000gns foal, 20,000euros yearling, resold 12,000euros yearling; by Churchill; first foal; dam 7f AW winner (RPR 81) from classy family; trainer among the winners with older horses but his 2yos tend to need their debut runs.

25/1

Form: 3

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
11-1, stayed on well for third of ten on debut at Newcastle (7f, AW) five weeks ago; this well-bred Saxon Warrior colt is open to improvement now up in trip and could have a big part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:50 Ripon

Saxophonist

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Third to two better-fancied rivals on seasonal reappearance at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) in April, and occupied that same position in a three-runner affair at Hamilton (8.5f) subsequently; a glance at his pedigree suggests that tackling this longer trip isn't an obvious move.

9/2

3rd

2

(1)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

16:35 Hamilton

Saxophonist

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Bettered his novice/maiden form when third of seven in a Doncaster handicap in April (1m, good to firm); that form looks solid and he remains capable of better.

11/8

OUR TIP

100/1

Form: 80

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field in two AW outings at Newcastle in recent weeks; gelded ahead of this switch to turf; probably more one for handicaps after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:05 Hexham

Jambearee

10st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Brian Ellison

Lowly rated on the Flat (0-6); never better than midfield in added cheekpieces at Thirsk (1m4f, Class 5; beaten over 10l, 40-1) three weeks ago; trainers sole representative in this in 2024 was an early casualty; stablemate of Steel Fixer.

25/1

6th

11

(7)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Thirsk

Jambearee

8st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Brian Ellison

Has finished tailed off in four of his five runs including in a Beverley handicap (1m2f, good to firm) last month; has lots to prove back up in trip and he's 4lb out of the weights; cheekpieces added.

33/1

7th

12

(10)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

17:25 Beverley

Jambearee

8st 11lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Only eighth of 11 but showed improvement on RPRs at Kempton (1m4f) on handicap/seasonal debut, while shaping as if this return to shorter will suit; could go well.

14/1

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
By Expert Eye and the third foal of an unraced sister to 5f/6f winner Boundary Lane; has been gelded; likely outsider on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

16:30 Doncaster

Norcross Brow

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Clover

First run for this yard when third in a Class 5 at Newmarket (1m) and then comfortably justified odds of 8-11 in a Class 6 at Brighton (7f, good to firm); 5lb higher here even with a 6lb penalty and probably the one to beat.

Evs

1st

4

(6)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

17:15 Brighton

Norcross Brow

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Clover

Bounced back to form when third of seven on his stable debut at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last Friday; should go well again.

7/4

3rd

9

(6)

26th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:25 Newmarket (July)

Norcross Brow

8st 13lb

J: George Wood

T: Charlie Clover

0-7 but he's shown enough at 1m on the AW to think there's a race in him and perhaps the first-time hood (now discarded) allied to good to soft ground combined against him back on turf at Ripon in April; sold for 8,000gns since; worth a look on debut for new yard.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
60,000gns half-brother to winners Saariselka (6f 2yo; RPR 89), Israaj (1m/1m1f including 2yo/dirt/KSA; 84) and Kohoof (Spanish 6f-1m); gelded ahead of debut; a watching brief is advised unless the betting strongly hints otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(8)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

15:38 Thirsk

Regal Knight

9st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Eight-race maiden but he did run one of his better races when third of seven at Beverley (8.5f, good to firm; first-time blinkers) two weeks ago; claims if backing that up in a switch of headgear.

11/2

3rd

8

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

20:10 Beverley

Regal Knight

8st 10lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Unplaced in all seven starts, the latest when just 5-1 for a 1m handicap at Ripon two weeks ago; now tried in blinkers; stable run two.

8/1

4th

9

(7)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Ripon

Regal Knight

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Six-race maiden; relatively unexposed but has a bit to find with Hood Wink on last time's C&D form; cheekpieces now tried.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £269.50
Straight Forecast £362.01
Trifecta £2684.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Be The Standard

SPOTLIGHT:

Magical Merlot

Daily Mirror:

Saxophonist

RP RATINGS:

Big Song

NEWMARKET:

Magical Merlot

The Times:

Magical Merlot

Daily Mail:

Magical Merlot

The Star:

Saxophonist

Telegraph:

Be The Standard

The Guardian:

Be The Standard

D Express:

Be The Standard

The Sun:

Be The Standard

Daily Record:

Be The Standard