October 24 / 13.41 Newbury

13.41

Soft

One Up On Football At BetVictor EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £6480
  • 0m 6f 110y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
One Up On Football At BetVictor EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
25,000euros foal, 80,000euros yearling; thirteenth foal; Ghaiyyath half-brother to nine winners notably Lodovico Il Moro (Italian Group-placed 1m), Winklemann (Italian 7f-8.5f; RPR 96) and Wannacry (Italian 6f-1m including Listed); dam Italian 1m Group 3 winner; those who have raced don't set a daunting standard and he's one to consider on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(5)

28th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Bunyola Bay

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Finished third of eight, beaten 3l, when the well-backed favourite for a soft-ground maiden at Newbury last October (winner finished fourth in the Greenham); made all for 7f Doncaster win on seasonal debut; confirmed reputation as a progressive colt when landing a valuable conditions event over an extended 1m1f at Gowran Park early this month; dam has a decent record at stud, but has tended to produce milers rather than middle-distances types; lacks Pattern race experience.

40/1

1st

2

(1)

1st Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 120y

16:19 Gowran Park

Bunyola Bay

9st 6lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Finished third of eight, beaten 3l, when the well-backed favourite for a soft-ground maiden at Newbury last October (winner finished fourth in the Greenham); made all for 7f Doncaster win on seasonal debut; should stay and could be progressive

12/1

1st

2

(5)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

14:50 Doncaster

Bunyola Bay

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Finished third of eight, beaten 3l, when the well-backed favourite for a 6.5f maiden at Newbury last October (soft; winner has since finished fourth in the Greenham); could see his race out more strongly on the sounder surface; big player.

3/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; Footstepsinthesand half-brother to 10.4f winner Masterinthewoods (RPR 82); dam sprint maiden out of 6f 2yo Listed winner; wears a hood on debut and he's likely to improve for the run but his jumps-oriented trainer is in excellent form, including on the Flat; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(14)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:27 Bath

Footstepinthewoods

9st 7lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Emma Lavelle

Took a step forward when fifth of 14 in 7f Salisbury handicap three weeks ago; can't be discounted off a 2lb lower mark in his bid for a maiden victory.

12/1

5th

10

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 213y

Class 5

19:45 Salisbury

Footstepinthewoods

9st 1lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Emma Lavelle

No immediate improvement for the switch to handicaps at Windsor 19 days ago (6f, good to firm); dropped 3lb for his troubles but others still appeal more.

20/1

Form: 6 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
100,000gns yearling who was a well-backed favourite on debut at Salisbury (7f, good) three weeks ago, when a well-beaten sixth of eight; however, he's evidently thought to be capable of considerably better and it will be interesting to see if his supporters return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

18:39 Carlisle

Mertoun

10st 7lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Improved effort when just denied on his handicap debut at Windsor (1m) in May and he made no mistake with an emphatic win over that C&D (also good to firm) 12 days ago; raised 10lb but he's firmly on the up and looks the one to beat.

10/11

1st

9

(9)

22nd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

20:50 Windsor

Mertoun

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Well backed when beaten just a short head at 3-1 on handicap debut over C&D (good to firm) four weeks ago; strong claims up 2lb.

2/1

2nd

11

(5)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

17:30 Windsor

Mertoun

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Thrice-raced contender who may be capable of improvement now handicapping with Leicester reappearance under his belt.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam unraced half-sister to useful 7f winner Moqarrab, out of 6f winning half-sister to US champion 2yo colt Uncle Mo; from a top stable and this Night Of Thunder newcomer could have a big part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

10

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Needle Match

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Similar to Into The Sky in having raced at Newbury on both starts; did just enough to win 2yo maiden (6.5f, soft) then ran well, about 2l fourth to Alparslan, in the Greenham (7f, good); the way he shaped last time suggests additional improvement is plausible upped further in trip; by 2,000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder; more interesting than bare ratings suggest.

14/1

4th

6

(3)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Newbury

Needle Match

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Edged ahead inside the final half-furlong and did just enough at Newbury (6.5f, soft) on the same day that Gonna Fly won in better style over 1m; holds a 2,000 Guineas entry, unlike that rival, and is open to progress; bottom of this pack on bare figures as things stand, however.

10/1

5

(2)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 110y

Class 4

13:41 Newbury

Needle Match

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

First foal; dam unraced half-sister to useful 7f winner Moqarrab, out of 6f winning half-sister to US champion 2yo colt Uncle Mo; from a top stable and this Night Of Thunder newcomer could have a big part to play.

15/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
60,000euros foal, 95,000gns yearling; third foal; Blue Point half-brother to US 8.5f AW winner Sir Magestrate; dam French Group-placed 6.5f winner; market check advised on debut but he may be one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(3)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 201y

Class 3

16:07 Salisbury

Storming Point

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Thrice-raced colt who is proving consistent; good second in both turf attempts, latest at Windsor (1m, good to soft) behind a useful sort; leading form contender upped further in distance.

4/6

2nd

8

(10)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

18:09 Windsor

Storming Point

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Dam was Group and Listed-placed at up to 1m1f in France; fair form when placed at Newbury (extended 6f, soft) in October and Kempton (7f, AW) 12 days ago; could still do better and has a strong place chance.

3/1

3rd

7

(8)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Storming Point

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Dam was Group and Listed-placed at up to 1m1f in France; 13-2 for Newbury debut (extended 6f, soft) in October where he only reluctantly gave up his lead (to one who was close up in a Group 3 this spring) before coming back for more late on; has very different conditions today.

11/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam 5f/6f winner for yard (including 2yo debut; RPR 102), sister to 5.7f/6f winner Harrison Stickle, half-sister to useful 5f/6f winner Gabbiano, out of 5f/6f winner; this Twilight Son newcomer is not ruled out in view of his pedigree, but he may need this outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(7)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

20:40 Epsom

Sun Of Dolly

9st 5lb

J: Neil Callan

T: John Gallagher

Best form when fourth of 13 on handicap debut at Windsor (6f, good to firm), faring best of those held up; readily outgunned once in the clear at Haydock (upped to 7f) later in May but soft ground was a possible excuse.

6/1

8th

9

(3)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 5

15:30 Haydock

Sun Of Dolly

9st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: John Gallagher

Raced around 6f so far, showing his best form when fourth of 13 on handicap debut at Windsor (good to firm) last time, faring best of those held up; 7f is likely to be within range on that evidence; not discounted.

9/1

4th

10

(1)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 5

13:53 Windsor

Sun Of Dolly

9st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: John Gallagher

Midfield in 6f novice contest at Leicester (6f) on seasonal debut, never landing a blow; related to winners for his stable and improvement may materialise now handicapping.

16/1

Form: 5

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
40,000gns breeze-up 2yo who is from a top jumps yard; however, well-beaten fifth of six at 25-1 on last month's debut at Pontefract (6f, good to soft) and he's probably best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

12th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

13:50 Stratford

Tiny Riot

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Put in place by main market rival when second of four at Market Rasen (2m, good; raced too freely) last month but beat a next-time-out winner when scoring on hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, good) a few days earlier and has obvious claims here.

5/4

2nd

1

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

17:41 Market Rasen

Tiny Riot

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

60-rated on the Flat; won the first juvenile hurdle of the season at Hexham (2m, good; 3-1) last Saturday, a race which also featured Cracking Anna (fourth) and Steel Fixer (pulled up); should confirm his superiority over those rivals despite the incurred 7lb penalty.

8/15

Form:

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to four winners and things may click at some stage but she was well beaten at 25-1 on last month's debut at Kempton (6f, AW), where she was slowly away and hung badly left; hard to fancy after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(1)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

19:10 Lingfield (AW)

Pilgrims Progress

9st 3lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Richard Hannon

Unexposed 3yo who displayed improvement when close second in 5f novice here in December; makes handicap debut after seven-month absence but solid market support will bring her into the equation.

7/1

9

(8)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 110y

Class 4

13:41 Newbury

Pilgrims Progress

9st 2lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Half-sister to four winners and things may click at some stage but she was well beaten at 25-1 on last month's debut at Kempton (6f, AW), where she was slowly away and hung badly left; hard to fancy after that.

33/1

10th

7

(7)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Kempton (AW)

Pilgrims Progress

9st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

£87,000 yearling by Showcasing; fifth foal; half-sister to four AW winners including Premier Power (6f including 2yo; RPR 107), Golden Mayflower (7f 2yo; 85) and Pelekai (5f 2yo; 82); dam 7f/1m winner (including 2yo/AW and turf Listed; 107), half-sister to US 8.5f Grade 1 winner Choisya; plenty of appeal on paper and no surprise if she makes an impact on debut.

6/1

Non-runners

Chief Red Wing

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Needle Match

The Sun:

Bunyola Bay

Daily Mirror:

Mertoun

D Express:

Storming Point

POSTDATA:

Needle Match

The Times:

Needle Match

Telegraph:

Needle Match

The Guardian:

Needle Match

Daily Mail:

Needle Match

The Star:

Needle Match

Daily Record:

Needle Match