13:50 Newmarket

Thursday 25 September 2025

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:18

Hunters Prestige British EBF Maiden Stakes

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 1m 40.05s

(6)

Balzac

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Alexandra Egan⁽⁷⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

22/1

Foaled February 19. 30,000 gns foal. Half-brother to 3 winners, including smart winner up to 1½m Claymore and 7f/1m winner Bacarda. Yard occasionally strikes with newcomers, but this one will probably come on for the run.

Form:

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(2)

Del Maro¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| BF

5/6

Shaped with promise when runner-up in a novice on the other course here last month prior to finishing third behind a couple of exciting newcomers at Doncaster (1m, good) recently. This well-bred colt is clearly held in high regard (holds Group 1 entry) and he looks sure to be involved in the finish.

Form: 23

(4)

Jackabi¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: Ian Williams

66/1

Bettered what he showed on debut when fifth of 11 in a 7f Leicester novice this month, but a significant step forward will be needed if he's to make it third time lucky here.

Form: 65

(5)

Maltese Cross¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas

13/8

Good middle-distance pedigree and positive start to his career when going down narrowly in a 1m maiden at Ascot (good to soft). Looks sure to progress with that experience under his belt and a bold show is anticipated.

Form: 2

(3)

Moment Of Light²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: P Cosgrave| T: James Owen

28/1

78,000 gns breeze-up purchase who was runner-up on his introduction at Chester last month. Failed to land a blow on the all-weather next time, but shouldn't be judged too harshly on that and he remains open to improvement. Yard also represented by newcomer Ranga Tang.

Form: 26

(7)

Moonlight Warrior

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding

10/1

Foaled April 8. Gleneagles colt. Closely related to 7f-2m winner Merry Minister and 1¼m winner Winston's Tipple, plus he's a half-brother to ungenuine 1¼m winner Herodotus. Yard saddled the winner of this in 2023 and he's one to monitor closely in the betting.

Form:

(1)

Ranga Tang

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S D Bowen| T: James Owen

28/1

Foaled April 2. 145,000 gns half-brother to 3 winners, including smart 11f-2m winner Amtiyaz and useful winner up to 1½m Intinso. Likely to need more time and distance.

Form:

Forecasts

Del Maro (5/6), Maltese Cross (13/8), Moonlight Warrior (10/1), Balzac (22/1), Ranga Tang (28/1), Moment Of Light (28/1), Jackabi (66/1)

MALTESE CROSS wasn't knocked about when going close on debut at Ascot and, likely to be sharper this time, the Sea The Stars colt shades preference ahead of another promising type from a top yard in Del Maro. Third on the list is Moment of Light, while Moonlight Warrior is by far the most appealing of the three newcomers and the betting should be informative where he is concerned.