August 23 / 14.05 Goodwood

14.05

Good

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
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Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 165001 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Defied top weight in similar event at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) last time, bouncing back to form and taking record to 5-15; still favourably treated on best AW form and may remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Royal Zabeel

10st 3lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Respectable fifth in this year's Victoria Cup; prevailed last Saturday to take C&D record to 2-2 and overall strike-rate to 7-23; incurs 6lb penalty but Conor Whiteley takes off a useful 5lb; major player.

8/1

1st

3

(7)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Royal Zabeel

9st 12lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Down the field in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm) but was on the unfavoured far side and prior to that he ran well when fifth of 21 in the Victoria Cup there (7f, good); won over C&D last August; chance.

6/1

20th

10

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Royal Zabeel

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

A strike-rate of 4-7 on AW includes two Listed wins, at 7f and 6f; not quite so good on grass as yet but he has a 7lb lower turf mark and indicated he could make it pay when an excellent fifth in the big-field Victoria Cup over 7f here (good; has won on good to firm) in May, not ideally positioned there as it turned out; one to consider back at 6f.

18/1

OUR TIP

Form: 863601 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Strong record at Goodwood includes wins in this race in 2023 and festival event (1m) last time; Cian Horgan's 5lb claim is helpful off revised mark but the forecast ground isn't (ideally needs softer than good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(1)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 2

15:25 Hamilton

Rhoscolyn

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

A superstar down the years and he's quite well treated again now but all his handicap wins at 7f and 1m have been on downhill tracks on good to soft or slower ground; better days ahead once the rains come.

16/1

11th

2

(13)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

17:50 Epsom

Rhoscolyn

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Down the field in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month but promising reappearance there (7f, good) previously; won this race in 2021 (good to soft) and 2024 (good to soft) and was third last year (good to soft); this week's rain has been in his favour and he's on a dangerous mark.

9/2

Form: 7-4790

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Always behind in the Stewards' Cup here most recently and losing spell goes back to 2023; however, well handicapped on best sprinting form and some of his 2025 efforts suggest this new trip is worth exploring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Purosangue

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Robert Cowell

He hasn't won since a Listed success at York (6f, soft) in October 2023; in the meantime he has often attracted support, favourite in the 2024 Stewards' Cup and last season's Ayr Gold Cup; two perfectly creditable efforts for Robert Cowell this year and he showed promise in one Tapeta run last spring; not discounted for a trainer who runs four.

6/1

4th

4

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Purosangue

9st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Made late headway from the rear over 5f at Pontefract on stable/seasonal debut; interesting back up in trip, despite still being on a long losing spell; remains attractively treated on plenty of form.

8/1

4th

3

(8)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

15:57 Pontefract

Purosangue

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Robert Cowell

Capable of useful form for Andrew Balding; close fourth when favourite for last year's Ayr Gold Cup; hasn't won since 2023 but looks interesting off current mark in this field on debut for new yard; remains with same owner; drops back to 5f for first time since good second (joint-best effort) in Sandown Group 3 in July 2024.

6/1

Form: 842711 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Two from two since wearing blinkers, namely 7f wins at Glorious Goodwood (good) and Chepstow (good to soft); still unexposed over this trip and may improve further in the retained blinds; major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Great Acclaim

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Ran well, only a neck behind Elarak, in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot to maintain his solid record in headgear; good second in the Victoria Cup the time before; threatening to win a big prize; shortlisted.

6/1

3rd

9

(23)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 7lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Versatile as regards ground; has a good record in blinkers and ran well switched to a visor (retained today) last time, finishing only 1l behind The Wizard Of Eye in the Victoria Cup and taking form figures over C&D to 242; solid contender who again has frame possibilities.

16/1

2nd

9

(12)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 7lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Six-time winner, including in first-time blinkers at Glorious Goodwood; close third at Haydock (7f) with reappearance under his belt, paving the way nicely for a crack at this prize; has made the frame in both C&D attempts; possibilities in new headgear (visor).

12/1

Form: 2-3161 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Similar type to Royal Zabeel, being a last-time scorer whose strike-rate is 5-15; did it well at Chester (7f, good to firm) and another rise in the weights is almost offset by Jack Dace's 5lb claim; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Palmar Bay

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ralph Beckett

Comfortable winner of a C&D handicap (good to firm) last August; better than ever when a close fourth in a Listed event at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in March but he's been well held in both subsequent runs and latest was in a C&D; has bit to prove again and this looks a tough task on the figures.

14/1

10th

1

(5)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Palmar Bay

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Ready winner of a C&D handicap last summer off a 12lb lower mark; better than ever when a close fourth in a Wolverhampton Listed race in March and he faced a stiff task at Haydock three weeks ago; should give his running but could find one or two stronger back in handicap company.

6/1

4th

8

(10)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Palmar Bay

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

5-19; creditable fourth in Listed races last two starts, not beaten far at Wolverhampton (7f) on latest; should give his running again but quite a few of these have more obvious claims on the figures.

14/1

Form: 320386

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably in the Glorious Goodwood contest won by Great Acclaim but extended his long losing run, whereas that rival is now seeking a hat-trick; no certainty to reverse the placings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Billyjoh

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His losing sequence goes back 22 races to February 2024; however, he's often run well in the interim and he's been given a bit of help from the handicapper ahead of this reappearance; can be in the mix if fully tuned up.

10/1

8th

11

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Billyjoh

8st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

5yo whose 31 starts have been at 5f-7f and his losing spell goes back to February 2024; however, he's run many big races in the interim, most recently at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in August when finishing strongly for a share of third, and on that evidence this first crack at 1m is well worth a go.

8/1

Form: -26873 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Gorak

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.

16/1

3

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Gorak

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Charlie Fellowes

Record over C&D includes a success in May 2023 and solid second on reappearance this term; disappointing favourite here on penultimate start and losing run is mounting up; best form certainly gives him a good chance off current mark back down in grade.

7/1

11

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Gorak

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.

33/1

Form: 2-1511 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Held on narrowly, having hung briefly left, in 3yo handicap over 7f at Glorious Goodwood to take record to 3-5; this well-bred colt may improve further, provided he takes to first-time headgear; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(2)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Mudbir

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

The winner of three of his seven starts; sent off the red-hot favourite for Ascot's Victoria Cup last month but he failed to fire, finishing 22nd of the 28 runners; gelded soon after and he remains capable of better.

5/2

32

(9)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Mudbir

9st 1lb

T: John & Thady Gosden

Reserve; hindered by traffic issues in his final start of an otherwise progressive 2025 season that featured a Glorious Goodwood win (7f, good to soft); disappointing favourite in the Victoria Cup over C&D on reappearance but has possibilities if a physical tweak (gelded since) works a treat.

9/1

22th

16

(19)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Mudbir

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Well-bred colt whose record of 3-6 overall and 2-3 in handicaps (7f) features a narrow win at Glorious Goodwood; hindered by traffic issues at same venue when last seen (effort best forgiven); cheekpieces worn that day are retained; beat Defence Minister by half a length at Sandown last July; still open to further progress and remains of strong interest.

11/2

Form: 791094 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Best form this term at Thirsk, namely success in May and creditable effort (despite tardy start and traffic issues) last time; capable of being involved, albeit is far more exposed than some of these rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Darkness

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has won over 1m but raced mainly at 7f; not solid on 2026 form and he came up short when a 50-1 shot in big field at York most recently; opposed in another competitive race, back up in trip.

25/1

11th

4

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Darkness

9st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

He won two 7f handicaps last season and took a step back in the right direction with close sixth of 12 at Haydock in April; however, well beaten at Newmarket since and others arrive with less to prove.

33/1

Form: 2213-1 D

Last run: 134 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Sole outing this season resulted in ready success at Newbury (7f, good; 3yo handicap) in April, taking form figures to 22131; looks the type to progress further; respected on return from another layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Back In Black

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Reliable sort, this year over 7.5f/1m since being gelded; second on Newcastle AW with tongue-tie fitted last time; has gained both wins over a bare 7f; strong claims back down in distance.

9/2

2nd

4

(2)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Back In Black

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Won a Newbury handicap (7f, good) last April and he's reached the frame in his last five starts including when fourth of 24 in the Spring Cup (1m, good) on his penultimate run; looks interesting off same mark here and he ran well on his only previous attempt on AW; tongue-tie added.

9/4

31

(21)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Back In Black

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Reserve; dual 7f winner who has a solid record and may rate higher still; ran well at Newbury (1m) on reappearance then raced further away from the near rail than ideal when beaten favourite, albeit not disgraced, at Lingfield (7.5f); tongue-tie is now applied; remains of interest.

16/1

Form: -74301 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Prevailed by a neck in festival contest (1m) three weeks ago, taking Goodwood record to 2-3 (0-7 elsewhere); possibly not crying out for this return to 7f, however, and it's a step back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(6)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Principality

9st 1lb

J: George Wood

T: Harry Eustace

Heavy-ground winner of a Glorious Goodwood handicap (1m) last July and he had dipped below that winning mark when scoring at Nottingham (8.5f, good) last time; 2lb nudge shouldn't stop him being competitive.

11/1

1st

1

(10)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:25 Nottingham

Principality

9st 11lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Harry Eustace

Acts on good to firm and heavy ground; won off 1lb higher at Goodwood (1m) last July but has mixed record since and was beaten 11l in the Spring Mile on his reappearance in March; this is a big drop back in grade but he's now 1-11 in handicaps and others are more convincing.

12/1

11th

4

(12)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Principality

9st 10lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Not disgraced (fifth of 14) in sole Doncaster attempt and current mark is workable; however, may be more interesting when back at Goodwood with this reappearance under his belt, having gained both wins there.

12/1

Form: 038462

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Similar type to Purosangue, being a sprinter who hasn't won since 2023 but remains favourably treated on peak form and now attempts 7f for first time; gelded prior to encouraging effort at Windsor last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(5)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

18:17 Windsor

Zoulu Chief

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Heather Main

Shaped okay at Lingfield in January; down the field at Leicester last month but he was harried up front and weakened in the final furlong; dropped 2lb and this easier track will help; one to consider.

9/2

10th

10

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Zoulu Chief

8st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Heather Main

Ran creditably at Lingfield in January when bidding for a 6f AW double; 8lb higher than when second at Newmarket (7f) on last turf attempt but he's proved consistent since being gelded and his first two handicap wins were on good to firm; in the mix.

13/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £262.70
Straight Forecast £154.13
Tricast £821.32
Trifecta £1260.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Mudbir

SPOTLIGHT:

Back In Black

RP RATINGS:

Purosangue

Daily Mirror:

Great Acclaim

The Guardian:

Rhoscolyn

NEWMARKET:

Mudbir

The Times:

Mudbir

Daily Mail:

Mudbir

The Sun:

Mudbir

Telegraph:

Back In Black

D Express:

Back In Black

Daily Record:

Back In Black

TOPSPEED:

Purosangue

The Star:

Great Acclaim