September 13 / 14.40 Chester

14.40

Good

Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Watergate Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 7f 196y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Watergate Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

20/1

Form: 6-1760 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Given wind surgery and tongue tied for new connections this season, which he started with a bang when winning a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in April; remote since, however, in the Gold Cup there, a French Group 2 and the Ebor at York; this is a lesser handicap but he does not inspire great confidence even so.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

2

(1)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Yashin

12st 0lb

J: Mr T Walsh

T: Jessica Bedi

Ex-Jessica Harrington/Michael Bell; winner at Group 3 level for his two former trainers; despite reduced mark, does not look well handicapped at this stage; stable debut.

50/1

14th

7

(16)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Yashin

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Bell

Ex-Irish 7yo; won a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 over 2m here in April 2025 on his stable debut but failed to kick on and he needed to run a lot better than he did at Newmarket in early May (1m6f) to be seriously considered here; the hood and blinkers are new additions.

50/1

Form: 64P005 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in Saudi Arabia in February (heart issue) and well held in two British handicaps since; closer in Listed race here (first visit) on latest start but he was only fifth of six in that slowly run race; while peak 2024 efforts give him a fine chance, some caution is currently advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(9)

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Prydwen

9st 12lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: George Scott

8yo whose 11th success came over 1m4f in April; also effective at 2m this term but edged back up the weights and looks vulnerable for win purposes.

40/1

7th

1

(15)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Prydwen

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Prolific 8yo who gained his 11th success when taking 1m4f Ripon handicap in April; also effective at 2m this term, including C&D, but he's edged back up the weights; place player but he may be vulnerable for win purposes.

14/1

OUR TIP

7/1

Form: 940-30 C

Last run: 88 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Second, first and third in the last three Chester Cups; he didn't quite reproduce that form in the 2023 or 2024 campaigns, however, and tailed off at Royal Ascot on first attempt this season; comfortably held in fourth in this race last year; this does not look the time to catch him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(10)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:40 Chester

Zoffee

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

Second, first and third in the last three Chester Cups; he didn't quite reproduce that form in the 2023 or 2024 campaigns, however, and tailed off at Royal Ascot on first attempt this season; comfortably held in fourth in this race last year; this does not look the time to catch him.

7/1

19th

11

(8)

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Zoffee

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Second, first and third in the last three Chester Cups and not far away in this race two years ago; back up 3lb since latest Chester Cup, however, and he didn't quite reproduce the Chester form in either the 2023 or 2024 campaigns.

20/1

3rd

8

(4)

9th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Zoffee

8st 11lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Hugo Palmer

led narrowly, headed after 1f, soon prominent on inner, no extra final 110yds

10/1

Form: 572157 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
While his peak form was in 2022, he won twice over C&D at this stage last year (including this race by a nose) and was 25-1 winner of the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) this June; fair efforts on last two starts; needs respect as each-way candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(10)

24th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Spirit Mixer

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

He won the Northumberland Plate Handicap at Newcastle (2m, AW) last season and has shown a couple of signs of spark this term; however, this 8yo is opposable on recent evidence; fourth of seven in this last year.

20/1

6th

5

(12)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Spirit Mixer

9st 4lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Andrew Balding

Acts on soft, unproven on heavy; has had a mixed 2026 but he's won both renewals of this race and is now 1lb lower than last year's; apprentice ridden for the first time since May 2024; one to note.

5/1

10th

1

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Spirit Mixer

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Andrew Balding

Never involved when defending his crown in the Northumberland Plate but two of his three previous runs this season had been creditable; only 1lb higher than for his last win at Chester (September) and he was a close fourth in this two years ago; would have been tempting but for concerns about him these days on fast ground (only fifth last year on good to firm).

10/1

Form: 05/70-

Last run: 336 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Second past post in the very valuable Galway Hurdle (2m, good) six weeks ago but awarded it due to interference; that followed his second in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) in March; he's never been better in that sphere and shaped a bit better than seventh might suggest at Royal Ascot 2024 when 2m4f might have stretched him; back to Flat but respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

7th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

18:41 Galway

Ndaawi

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Very high class handicap hurdler; second in the County Hurdle and was awarded the Galway Hurdle in 2025; warmed up for this by winning a charity Flat race at the Curragh; the one to beat on his chase debut.

7/4

1st

2

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Ndaawi

12st 9lb

J: Ms N Carberry

T: Gordon Elliott

The 2025 Galway hurdle winner but was poor this time around and has questions to answer; won on the Flat in May; Nina Carberry back.

2/1

12th

3

30th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 11y

16:30 Galway

Ndaawi

11st 11lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Promoted winner of this race last year after receiving critical interference; has been mixing hurdling and Flat action since then, down the field in the County Hurdle; beat the very useful Absurde in a conditions' hurdle at Cork in April; kept ticking over with an odds-on Flat win in a 1m6f Listowel contest two months ago; 7lb higher than last year.

8/1

Form: 462163

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Hooded last four starts; chance judged on his peak efforts on AW or good to firm, the latest being his 1m6f win at Sandown in June; there's a bit more to prove away from that ground and after his three attempts at 2m+.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(5)

14th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Youthful King

9st 1lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Has slipped down the weights after a quiet 2026 campaign; likely to take advantage at some point but perhaps in a less competitive affair than this.

25/1

4th

4

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:47 Newmarket (July)

Youthful King

9st 5lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Luke Dace

Usually apprentice ridden but Jude Fernandes rides him for the first time; 6lb lower than when winning at Sandown (1m6f, good to firm) last June; he has not beaten many in his four starts this season, coming last in a four-runner race last time, but can't be dismissed and the hood he often wore last term (and first run this year) is reinstated.

10/1

Form: 229471

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Twice second in the spring, plus fourth in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) and a 1m2f AW win at Dundalk on latest outing; however, his only two appearances on turf this season were poor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(4)

21st Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:05 Listowel

Tribal Star

9st 1lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: Adrian McGuinness

Dual AW winner who is 0-11 on turf but again ran well to be 4l off the winner last week at Chester, a track he likes; shouldn't be far away.

10/1

4th

7

(2)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Tribal Star

8st 10lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Adrian McGuinness

Both career wins (from 25 races) have come on Dundalk AW, but he finished on the heels of winner Spirit Mixer in this race last year (good to soft) and was also bang there in the Chester Plate this May; backward steps on last two outings but he's not ruled out.

11/1

12th

7

(11)

15th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

16:35 Dundalk (AW)

Tribal Star

9st 6lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Both career wins have come here, the latest in this race last year off 1lb higher; has run well in defeat over much further on turf a couple of times this term and soft ground wouldn't have suited at Galway latest; should be doing his best work at the finish.

11/1

Form: 073222 D BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Usually held up; below form on worse than good to soft; third to Gibside in the Chester Plate in May on his only race at this track, having won at Ripon the time before; that's his latest win but he's been bang there in a string of races, including when second to Sheradann at Southwell 16 days ago and beaten a nose off this mark at York last Sunday; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

Artisan Dancer

9st 12lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20, however, and he was tailed off at Thirsk (good) on penultimate start, before he failed to shine at Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting (AW) for the third year in a row; not the percentage call.

20/1

18th

5

(18)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Artisan Dancer

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20 and he was tailed off at Thirsk last time; back to AW and he's 7-34 in this sphere, but he's not shone at this meeting (16th in the Plate, 12th in the Vase) in the last two years.

25/1

12th

5

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Artisan Dancer

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f but turf strike-rate is 1-19; not discredited on latest start (1m5f) but others are preferred.

16/1

Form: 3937-0

Last run: 98 days

W: 8st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Sixth in 2022 Chester Cup (sole visit); well handicapped on best 2024 form; now an 11yo, well beaten on final outing last season and his only start this term (June); the latter was on good ground, whereas it's softer (preferably soft or heavy) which has suited him best for a long time now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(3)

21st Sep 2026

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:44 Ffos Las

Torcello

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Shaun Lycett

Veteran who reportedly relished the return to testing conditions when winning by 6l off much-reduced mark at Haydock (2m, soft; refitted blinkers) in May; not seen since but remains well treated on older form and has the ground very much in his favour again.

3/1

1st

5

(4)

21st May 2026

Soft

2m 0f 45y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Torcello

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Shaun Lycett

His mark continues to tumble and he's one to watch in the betting in reapplied cheekpieces with the slow ground in his favour; however, this 12yo has very much struggled on his four starts since last June.

9/1

20/1

Form: 813078 C

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
2m2f Chester Plate (2lb higher today) from off the pace in May was the last of his seven wins and he was second last July on his only other visit; well held last three outings, absent eight weeks before York last Sunday; 25-1 that day and he could be a lot more interesting with that under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

26th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:45 Ripon

Gibside

9st 4lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner; mainly well below par this season and failed to beat a rival in 1m6f handicap at Carlisle last month; needs to take a major step forward.

12/1

6th

6

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 32y

Class 4

16:45 Carlisle

Gibside

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner but he's yet to hit top form this season and came in a never-dangerous third of five in 1m6f handicap at Thirsk 18 days ago; not easy to make a case for despite a falling mark.

8/1

20/1

Form: 63-025

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
2-14 in Ireland and so nearly added a third career win when nosed out at Goodwood (1m6f, good) in May on second run for this yard; tailed off back at Goodwood (first go at 2m; 14-1) 11 days ago but that was on heavy going after four months off; could bounce back from that and is not dismissed even though he needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

22nd Sep 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Warwick

Sixpack

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Didn't jump well when a disappointing favourite at Fakenham (2m, good) last October on sole previous hurdle start; however, he's shown useful form when winning three times on the Flat this year and will be a serious force if able to transfer that ability to this code; trainer won this last year.

15/8

3rd

2

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:29 Newmarket (July)

Sixpack

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: James Owen

Three wins this season (1m4f-1m6f); bounced back from poor AW run when close second to Arqoob here (1m4f, good to firm) three weeks ago and might still have a bigger performance in him over this longer trip; respected.

7/2

2nd

3

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:58 Newmarket (July)

Sixpack

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Owen

Has done well over 1m4f-1m6f on turf this term, winning three times from six starts; latest win came easily at this track (1m6f, good to firm) in June and he's 7lb higher today; tailing off so badly at Southwell four weeks ago may be offputting but he came last in 2025 in his only other AW race, so perhaps can spring back to life with today's return to turf.

6/1

Non-runners

Sheradann

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £73.80
Straight Forecast £80.62
Tricast £714.82
Trifecta £613.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Artisan Dancer

The Times:

Ndaawi

NEWMARKET:

Prydwen

SPOTLIGHT:

Gibside

Daily Mail:

Spirit Mixer

TOPSPEED:

Artisan Dancer

POSTDATA:

Artisan Dancer

Telegraph:

Artisan Dancer

Daily Mirror:

Artisan Dancer

Daily Record:

Artisan Dancer

The Guardian:

Ndaawi

D Express:

Ndaawi

The Sun:

Ndaawi

The Star:

Prydwen