October 03 / 15.30 Ascot

15.30

Good

BetMGM Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £10800
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 31-

Last run: 289 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Favourite for both runs last season on the AW and prevailed narrowly at Kempton in December (1m3f); top connections have been patient and had him gelded; open to improvement but William Buick rides the yard's other one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:30 Ascot

Aegean Prince

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Appleby

Favourite for both runs last season on the AW and prevailed narrowly at Kempton in December (1m3f); top connections have been patient and had him gelded; open to improvement but William Buick rides the yard's other one.

4/1

1st

1

(7)

18th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton (AW)

Aegean Prince

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Beaten favourite at Chelmsford on his debut six weeks ago (1m2f) but it was a promising start and he looked a stayer in the making; sets the standard and capable of better; one of two runners for stable.

10/11

1st

1

(7)

18th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton (AW)

Aegean Prince

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Beaten favourite at Chelmsford on his debut six weeks ago (1m2f) but it was a promising start and he looked a stayer in the making; sets the standard and capable of better; one of two runners for stable.

10/11

2/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 2

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
75,000gns yearling; bred to stay well and was strong through the line when beaten a head at Kempton; a line through the winner gives him a similar chance to Race To The Stars on these terms and must have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:08 Cartmel

Military Cross

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Seven-race maiden for the Gosdens but suffered a few near misses at up to 1m6f; made a quiet stable debut on the Flat (tongue tied after wind surgery) but that was in a strong handicap at York; could make a hurdler.

9/4

14th

12

(11)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Military Cross

9st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Sam England

Second or third every time in September-January in his seven races for the Gosdens, most AW; tried as far as 1m6f and in two forms of headgear; sold for 65,000gns in February and has now had wind surgery and has his tongue tied first time; competitive mark in theory but clearly questions to answer.

14/1

3rd

4

(1)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

15:38 Southwell (AW)

Military Cross

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Chased home a better-fancied stablemate (who is now BHA rated 88) on his Kempton debut last September and then bumped into another smart sort at Ascot on his second run; his four subsequent defeats have come at odds of 30-100 (again behind a progressive rival), Evs, 8-11 and 6-4 and although he should stay this longer trip well, the fact more new headgear is tried suggests he has his quirks; still of interest on handicap debut.

6/4

Form: 61

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pretty much all out to prevail in a small field at Newcastle (1m2f) and runner-up is now 0-6; however, showed a willing attitude and looks sure to improve with racing, especially over this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 4

19:00 Ripon

Winter Flower

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: William Haggas

Won small-field Newcastle novice (1m2f, AW) last autumn but has mixed record in handicaps since; looks interesting on her second at Newcastle (12.3f) in November but she reappeared with a disappointing run at Haydock (10.4f, good to firm) in April; still lightly raced but she needs to step up again after that last run.

5/2

8th

2

(10)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 4

15:10 Haydock

Winter Flower

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Only four ran when she won her novice at Newcastle (1m2f) last September; better form in handicaps on her last two starts, second at Newcastle (1m4f) and a close sixth in a Class 2 at Lingfield when last seen in December; still has time to better now returned to turf.

100/30

3rd

5

(1)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:30 Ascot

Winter Flower

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Pretty much all out to prevail in a small field at Newcastle (1m2f) and runner-up is now 0-6; however, showed a willing attitude and looks sure to improve with racing, especially over this longer trip.

6/1

Form: 1

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to Grade/Group 1 winner Yibir (RPR 123) and the high-class Wild Illusion (116); weak 4-1 chance at Southwell but stayed on best and the runner-up then beat Military Cross next time; that was a nice start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(6)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

Race To The Stars

9st 10lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Charlie Appleby

Made a winning debut at Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) last autumn; flopped at Ascot next time but he bounced back with a close call on handicap debut at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW; 11-4 favourite) in November; 2lb higher on his return but he has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and is open to more progress on this step up to 1m4f; interesting contender.

11/4

4th

4

(5)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:30 Ascot

Race To The Stars

9st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Half-brother to Grade/Group 1 winner Yibir (RPR 123) and the high-class Wild Illusion (116); weak 4-1 chance at Southwell but stayed on best and the runner-up then beat Military Cross next time; that was a nice start.

15/8

Form: 3422 BF

Last run: 115 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
A beaten favourite in three of his four races and has done some hanging; beaten in what was effectively a match at Salisbury last time (1m4f) when in first-time cheekpieces and the winner hasn't done a great deal since; has been gelded, which might bring him on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:20 Goodwood

Marnier

9st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-11 for the Gosdens, whom he left after winning at Sandown (1m6f, good; in regular cheekpieces); later bought for 77,000gns and did well at the Shergar Cup (2m, good to firm) given he pulled hard early; effective on good to soft (unraced on slower).

10/1

6th

7

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Marnier

9st 3lb

J: Suraj Narredu

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-11 for the Gosdens, scoring for the first time on turf when leading late on at Sandown a month ago (1m6f, good; in regular cheekpieces); later bought for 77,000gns; tackles a new trip here and might well have more to offer; good to firm seems fine.

8/1

1st

3

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Sandown

Marnier

10st 1lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Record is only 1-10, the success in AW maiden; however, shaped well in C&D handicap (good) most recently, staying on for third place in his first attempt beyond 1m4f; possibilities off current mark kept to this scenario.

5/2

OUR TIP

50/1

Form: 35

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; similar form in his two Flat runs (1m2f/1m4f) and latest Kempton effort leaves him with ground to find on Military Cross, and Race To The Stars on a line through the Gosden horse; perhaps one for another day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(1)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Id Go Maniac

11st 2lb

J: Miss Georgia King

T: Alan King

In good form in similar races under Georgia King lately, reaching the frame three times before resuming winning ways at Windsor (11.5f, good to firm) 31 days ago; the second from that race has won since so he retains handicapping scope off only 2lb higher but soft ground would be an unknown.

6/1

1st

1

(7)

3rd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

18:00 Windsor

Id Go Maniac

11st 2lb

J: Miss Georgia King

T: Alan King

Bumper/AW handicap winner; second of 13 here (1m2f, good to firm) in May under Georgia King and has since twice made the frame under the same rider, the latest when third of seven at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) last month; still unexposed on turf and respected back down in grade.

7/2

3rd

6

(6)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Epsom

Id Go Maniac

10st 0lb

J: Miss Georgia King

T: Alan King

Bumper and 1m4f AW handicap winner; only three runs on Flat turf, the latest when second of 13 at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in May in first-time cheekpieces, which have been kept since; not disgraced when Georgia King was on again back on AW latest outing; needs a second look.

7/1

200/1

Form: 65

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Started out in bumpers and he's looking fairly limited; behind Hellion at Bath last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:05 Cartmel

Hopjes

10st 2lb

J: Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

0-6 over hurdles and 0-16 overall; had excuse (bled from the nose) when safely held at Stratford six weeks ago but is out of the weights again here and needs subsequent wind op to have made a big difference.

50/1

5th

7

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:48 Stratford

Hopjes

10st 5lb

J: Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

Unexposed over hurdles after only five runs but was beaten about 23l when seventh of 12 here (2m, good) on last month's handicap debut and is effectively 4lb higher today.

33/1

7th

11

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

14:40 Stratford

Hopjes

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Lowly rated Flat maiden who has not shown any significant promise over hurdles after four attempts; has more realistic chance to get competitive on this handicap debut but still makes only limited appeal; 1lb wrong.

25/1

Non-runners

Hellion

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.30
Straight Forecast £19.04
Trifecta £122.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Race To The Stars

TOPSPEED:

Marnier

SPOTLIGHT:

Military Cross

D Express:

Winter Flower

NEWMARKET:

Race To The Stars

Daily Mirror:

Race To The Stars

The Star:

Race To The Stars

Telegraph:

Military Cross

The Guardian:

Military Cross

The Times:

Marnier

Daily Mail:

Marnier

Daily Record:

Marnier