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)

  • 2YO only  |   Class 4  |   1m 142y  |   Standard  |   12 Runners  |   Allweather  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 18:03  |   Winning time: 1m 49.3s
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The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
1
(10)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
2
(1)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
3
(11)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
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.
|
Timeform
5
(7)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
6
(12)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
7
(13)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
8
(4)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
9
(8)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
10
(2)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
11
(9)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform
13
(5)
Horse silk
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.
|
Timeform

Rule 4

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

Non-Runners

12
(6)
Horse silk
Lady Dora Mae55
Weight: 9-2|  Age: 2
T: G Boughey  J: Billy Loughnane
WD

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)

Verdict

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.

Previous Winners

2024
Merchant
Weight: 9-7  |Age: 2
10/11

Prize Money

1st: £5,211.002nd: £2,446.003rd: £1,224.004th: £612.005th: £291.00

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