Newbury Race 4 - Darley EBF Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race)
An interesting three-year-old novice event. SHABAB AL AHLI (4) represents leading connections. The colt made a winning debut two months ago scoring by 8.5L attempting a 2200m novice race at Southwell AW. Holds group entries in the coming months and looks promising. Top chance. MALTESE CROSS (1) confirmed debut promise (Ascot 1600m second) when a narrow winner of a 1600m maiden at Newmarket last September. Main danger. ALFARAZ (5) placed second both outings to date at Goodwood over 1600m before a 2.25L defeat in the 1700m Wild Card conditions race at Epsom Downs last September. Makes appeal. JOULANY (9) produced a decent fourth in a York 1600m maiden during October with form working out well. Not discounted.
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Weight: 61kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming. Not seen since winning by head Newmarket (Rowley) September 25 over 1600m defeating Del Maro with 58kg at $2.60. On debut second in a small field at Ascot September 6 over 1610m, soft track; a neck behind River Card carrying 60.5kg at $6.50. Has ability and looks one of the better chances.
Last Starts 203 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 25/09/2025 | 19 | MDN C 2 | $18,450.00 | Newmarket (Rowley) | 1609m | Good | Tom Marquand | 58kg | 1:40.05 | 3-1-1 | 5 |
| 0.2L | $2.63 |
| 2/5 | 06/09/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $55,350.00 | Ascot Uk | 1603m | Soft | Cieren Fallon | 60.5kg | 1:45.99 | 3-3-2 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $6.50 |
Jockey: R Havlin
Weight: 61kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes from a spell after only one run when favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len at Newcastle All Weather November 17 over 1400m defeating Ilraawi carrying 59kg at $1.70. Can play a significant role.
Last Starts 150 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 17/11/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $11,430.00 | Newcastle | 1408m | Neutral | Luke Catton | 59kg | 1:32.36 | 3-3-1 | 5 |
| 1.8L | $1.67 |
Jockey: S M Levey
Weight: 61kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a lengthy spell. Only one run when won by a neck at Wolverhampton November 8 over 1700m defeating Ranga Tang carrying 59kg at $17. One of the better chances.
Last Starts 159 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 08/11/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $11,430.00 | Wolverhampton | 1709m | Neutral | Alec Voikhansky | 59kg | 1:49.23 | 1-3-1 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $17.00 |
Jockey: W Buick
Weight: 61kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a break; only one run when favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 8 len at Southwell All Weather February 5 over 2200m defeating Asia Force carrying 59kg at $1.50. Nicely placed to kick off where he left off.
Last Starts 70 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 05/02/2026 | - | NOV 3 | $21,780.00 | Southwell | 2212m | Neutral | Connor Planas | 59kg | 2:24.43 | 2-1-1 | 3 |
| 8.5L | $1.53 |
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming. Finished off last preparation second last in a small field at Epsom Downs September 28 over 1700m, 2.25 len behind Shayem with 57kg at $2. On debut second in a small field at Goodwood August 24 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Ancient Egypt carrying 59kg at $5.50. Must be respected on what we have seen to date.
Last Starts 200 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/3 | 28/09/2025 | 35 | OPEN 2 | $30,780.00 | Epsom Downs | 1709m | Good | Oisin Murphy | 57kg | 1:47.05 | 1-1-2 | 1 |
| 2.3L | $2.00 |
| 2/6 | 24/08/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $54,450.00 | Goodwood | 1609m | Good Firm | Jason Watson | 59kg | 1:38.68 | 4-4-2 | 4 |
| 1.3L | $5.50 |
Jockey: D Egan
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes racing after a long spell. Only one run when got back early 8th of 10 at this track on October 24 over 1600m, on a slow track; 17 len behind Gonna Fly carrying 59kg at $51. Others preferred.
Last Starts 174 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/10 | 24/10/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $21,780.00 | Newbury | 1609m | Soft | Lewis Edmunds | 59kg | 1:44.59 | 8-9-8 | 4 |
| 17.3L | $51.00 |
Jockey: S Hitchcott
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a lengthy spell. Only one run when 4th of 12 at Kempton Park All Weather on October 13 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Fort Rock carrying 59kg at $15. Hard to see him in the finish.
Last Starts 185 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 13/10/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $14,760.00 | Kempton Park | 1408m | Good | Sean Levey | 59kg | 1:26.30 | 4-5-4 | 9 |
| 4.3L | $15.00 |
Jockey: Jason Watson
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
First-starter by Leading Light out of Saucy Sally. Likely to be better for this run.
Jockey: H Crouch
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a six months break. Finished off last campaign fourth of 8 at York October 11 over 1590m, 4 len behind Morshdi with 60.5kg at $1.70. On debut second of 9 at Kempton Park All Weather September 5 over 1400m, 0.5 len behind Look To The Stars carrying 60.5kg at $1.80. Has ability and is sure to have come on over the break.
Last Starts 187 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 11/10/2025 | 36 | MDN 2 | $55,350.00 | York | 1584m | Good | Hector Crouch | 60.5kg | 1:41.48 | 6-4-4 | 6 |
| 4.2L | $1.67 |
| 2/9 | 05/09/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $19,960.00 | Kempton Park | 1408m | NS | Hector Crouch | 60.5kg | 1:26.57 | 6-5-2 | 8 |
| 0.5L | $1.83 |
Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
First-starter by Frankel out of Seal Of Approval. By leading sire Frankel so may be worth following later on.