Things to note on Friday: Nicky Richards’ hot form and Gavin Cromwell runners at Ayr
6 hours ago
NEWBURY
17 April 2026
Friday 17th April
Yellow underlined races have a myracing selection
Darley EBF Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) Racecard
- Channel:
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Good
- Runners
- 10
- Type
- Flat
- Surface
- Turf
- Stalls
- Inside
- Weather
- Light rain
Selection
Selection
Selected At
Shabab Al Ahli
Selected at:
5/4
Charlie Appleby’s Shabab Al Ahli could hardly have been more impressive when winning on debut at Southwell in February. He put the race to bed with minimal effort and pulled eight-and-a-half lengths clear. The son of Frankel is ready for the step up in grade here.
Bookmaker
Offer
Best Odds
Bet Here
5/4
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Racecard
No.(Draw)
Runner
Best Odds
Dante and Derby entry; went close at Ascot (1m) and one better in a Newmarket maiden (1m)
21-
Age: 3
Weight: 9-8
OR: -
Days: 204
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Sep 25 | Nmk Newmarket | 8f Gd | 42yMd | 9-2 | 1/7 | Del Maro (hd) | 13/8 | - | 91 |
| 6 Sep 25 | Asc Ascot | 8f Sft | 22yMd | 9-7 | 2/5 | River Card (nk) | 11/2 | - | 84 |
Hot Recent Form Trainer - 7 wins from 19 in the last 14 days (37%)
Dante and Derby entry; 4-6 at Newcastle (7f, AW; five ran) in November, comfortably on top
1-
Age: 3
Weight: 9-8
OR: -
Days: 151
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Nov 25 | Ncs Newcastle (AW) | 7f St | 52yNv | 9-4 | 1/5 | Ilraawi (1¾L) | 4/6F | - | 81 |
16-1 at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in November but always prominent and led final strides
1-
Age: 3
Weight: 9-8
OR: -
Days: 160
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Nov 25 | Wol Wolverhampton (AW) | 8.5f St | 52yNv | 9-4 | 1/10 | Ranga Tang (nk) | 16/1 | - | 85 |
Hot Recent Form Jockey - 7 wins from 21 in the last 14 days (33%)
Hot Recent Form Trainer - 9 wins from 24 in the last 14 days (38%)
Dante and Derby entry; green but lots of scope when Southwell winner (1m3f, AW) February
1
Age: 3
Weight: 9-8
OR: -
Days: 71
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Feb 26 | Sth Southwell (AW) | 11f St | 33yNv | 9-4 | 1/4 | Asia Force (8½L) | 8/15F | - | 92 |
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
Dante and Derby entry; second on both starts as 2yo; shaped as if 1m2f+ will suit
22-
Age: 3
Weight: 9-4
OR: -
Days: 201
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 25 | Eps Epsom | 8.5f Gd | 22y | 9-0 | 2/3 | Shayem (2¼L) | EvensF | - | 85 |
| 24 Aug 25 | Goo Goodwood | 8f GF | 22yNv | 9-4 | 2/6 | Ancient Egypt (1¼L) | 9/2 | - | 76 |
Never dangerous at 50-1 here (1m, soft) in October; likely to come into his own later on
8-
Age: 3
Weight: 9-4
OR: -
Days: 175
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Oct 25 | Nby Newbury | 8f Sft | 42yNv | 9-4 | 8/10 | Gonna Fly (17½L) | 50/1 | - | 53 |
Derby entry; 14-1, fourth of 12 in novice at Kempton (7f, AW) in October
4-
Age: 3
Weight: 9-4
OR: -
Days: 186
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Oct 25 | Kem Kempton (AW) | 7f St/Slw | 52yNv | 9-4 | 4/12 | Fort Rock (4¼L) | 14/1 | - | 66 |
By Leading Light; first foal; dam pulled up in bumper on her only start; debut in hot race
Form:
Age: 3
Weight: 9-4
OR: -
Days: -
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
Derby entry; beaten when odds-on at Kempton (7f; better effort) and York (1m) last autumn
24-
Age: 3
Weight: 9-4
OR: -
Days: 188
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Oct 25 | Yor York | 8f Gd | 22yMd | 9-7 | 4/8 | Morshdi (4L) | 4/6F | - | 77 |
| 5 Sep 25 | Kem Kempton (AW) | 7f St/Slw | 42yNv | 9-7 | 2/9 | Look To The Stars (½L) | 5/6F | - | 86 |
Verdict
It is not an easy pick but last September's Newmarket maiden winner MALTESE CROSS gets the vote ahead of My Love Is King.
Maltese Cross
Betting Forecast:
13/8 Shabab Al Ahli,
5/2 Maltese Cross,
6/1 Joulany,
7/1 Alfaraz,
8/1 My Love Is King,
10/1 Sahara King,
33/1 Barrister,
Much,
50/1 Easwrith Destiny,
100/1 Ataturk
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