William Hill Epic Boosts EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

Showed inexperience before he knuckled down well to make a winning debut in a Catterick maiden (5f) in August. Ended up quite isolated when turned over at odds on at Redcar 3 weeks ago but will need a significant step forward to take this.

Green and considerately handled when third at Pontefract (6f) on debut and clearly learned plenty from that experience when making most in fluent fashion in a 6-runner novice over the same C&D (good to soft) 3 weeks ago. Looks up to becoming a useful sprinter.

€175,000 yearling by Dark Angel is a brother to the smart sprinter Binhareer and looked something out of the ordinary when recording a 6-length success on debut in a 7-runner novice at Haydock (6f, good to soft) 36 days ago, travelling well before storming clear under minimal encouragement.

Shaped promisingly first time up when second in 11-runner novice at Carlisle in August, edged out only in the dying strides. Didn't quite build on that promise in better company when tenth of 15 in a sales race at the Curragh (6.3f, good to soft, 12/1) 26 days ago.

€82,000 foal, €170,000 yearling. Dark Angel colt. Down the field in 2 course maidens and he'll be of much more interest when qualified for nurseries after this.