18:00 Wolverhampton

Saturday 27 December 2025

All16:0016:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk EBF Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 18:03 | Winning time: 1m 49.30s

(10)

Empirical¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Jack Doughty| T: E Walker

25/1

Made plenty of appeal on paper but held back by inexperience when seventh of 9 in maiden (2/1) at Southwell (7.1f) on debut 15 days ago, closing up late having been very slowly away. Open to improvement with that run behind him.

Form: 7

(1)

Jerseygeordie⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: J A Osborne

200/1

Offered little making his first start when ninth of 12 in novice at Lingfield (8f, AW, 33/1) 5 days ago, always behind having been slowly away. Difficult ask in this contest.

Form: 9

(11)

Lorca's Waltz

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas

9/4

Foaled April 7. Lope De Vega colt. Half-brother to 3 winners, including 5f/6f winner Clear Thinking and 2-y-o 1m winner Companionship. Noteworthy newcomer for his leading connections.

Form:

(3)

Mythical Bay³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: A M Balding

10/1

Some encouragement on debut, before failing to meet expectations when seventh of 12 in novice at Newcastle (8f, 2/1) a month ago. Clearly thought capable of better, so no surprise to see him get back on track.

Form: 47

(7)

Objector

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott

7/1

Foaled March 18. Dark Angel gelding. €100,000 yearling. Brother to several winners, including 2-y-o 6f winners Angel's Hideaway and Perfect Angel (both useful) and half-brother to 5f/6f winner Subutai. Watch for market clues.

Form:

(12)

Saxophonic¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Rowan Scott| T: K R Burke

50/1

625,000 gns yearling but only modest form in 2 starts so far, off 11 weeks (gelded) prior to finishing eighth of 12 in maiden (14/1) at this C&D 19 days ago. Bred to be suited by further in time.

Form: 88

(13)

Tewkesbury^h¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| BF

4/1

Having been strong in the betting (2/1), ran to a similar level as on debut when second of 12 in maiden at this C&D 19 days ago, beaten only by a promising newcomer having raced freely. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 42

(4)

Turtle Reef³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H Palmer

13/2

Has shown promise both starts, fading only in the final 1f behind some well-bred types when fifth of 12 in novice at Newcastle (8f, 12/1) a month ago. Major player with the potential of better still to come.

Form: 65

(8)

Von Dutch³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Darragh Keenan| T: K P De Foy

50/1

325,000 gns yearling but was never involved first time up when thirteenth of 14 in novice (14/1) at Southwell (7.1f) a month ago. Appeals as one for further down the line.

Form: 0

(2)

Wedonttellthetruth²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Jonny Peate| T: D M Loughnane

150/1

€200,000 yearling but went with little encouragement on debut when sixth of 7 in novice (33/1) at this course (9.5f) 3 weeks ago. Looks one for the longer term.

Form: 6

(9)

Campeona¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott

150/1

Bred for longer trips and has shaped in kind in her 2 races, still in need of the experience when seventh of 9 in novice at Kempton (7f, 100/1) 17 days ago. Upped in trip but needs another run for a handicap mark.

Form: 87

(5)

Queen Of Astolat^h¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Mikkel Mortensen⁽⁵⁾| T: C Fellowes

150/1

Has made little impact in her 2 outings to date, again slowly away when seventh of 8 in novice (33/1) at Chelmsford City (10f) 16 days ago. Likely to need more time.

Form: 57

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 25p in the pound

Non-Runners

(6)

Lady Dora Mae⁵⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: G Boughey J: Billy Loughnane

Forecasts

Lorca's Waltz (9/4), Lady Dora Mae (5/2), Tewkesbury (4/1), Turtle Reef (13/2), Objector (7/1), Mythical Bay (10/1), Empirical (25/1), Von Dutch (50/1), Saxophonic (50/1), Wedonttellthetruth (150/1), Campeona (150/1), Queen Of Astolat (150/1), Jerseygeordie (200/1)

TURTLE REEF has offered encouragment both starts so far, racing prominently for a long way before finishing fifth of 12 in an informative-looking novice at Newcastle last time, so he is taken to build on those efforts and open his account. Tewkesbury has also shown promise in his 2 outings and is respected, while Lady Dora Mae is one to note on stable debut.