May 30 / 15.30 Chester

15.30

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 7f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £22.40
  • Place: £5.80

Form: -11710

Last run: 53 days

W: 8st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Transformed by blinkers this year, making all in three 1m handicaps at Chelmsford; well drawn to attack but he will need a big personal best to score at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:18 Chester

Lexington Jet

10st 1lb

J: Harry Davies

T: David Loughnane

Front-runner who has won four times since blinkers have been added and latest was over 7f here (good) in May; well held in his last two runs (1m2f/1m) but he's now only 2lb higher than for his last win and is well drawn back at this trip; not ruled out.

12/1

10th

2

(16)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:35 Carlisle

Lexington Jet

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David Loughnane

Front-runner who has won four times since blinkers were added (7f/1m), most recently over 7f at Chester last month off 3lb lower; didn't get home there over 1m2f (good to soft) 11 days ago but should be happier back at this trip.

20/1

6th

5

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

15:23 Chester

Lexington Jet

8st 13lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: David Loughnane

Made his first appearance here a winning one when landing 7f handicap (good) a fortnight ago; always handy from a low draw that day and his stamina for this trip is in question; still not ruled out.

5/1

11/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 19-701 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Course winner (7.6f, soft) for Andrew Balding last summer; not beaten far in the 7.6f handicap won by Supido 24 days ago (poor draw) and confirmed that promise with a Class 3 win at Thirsk a fortnight ago (7f, good); a 3lb rise shouldn't prove beyond him and Warren Fentiman's claim is a bonus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(11)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Brighton Boy

8st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Led late when beating Sergeant Wilko at Thirsk last month and he had a few of today's rivals in behind when second at Chester four weeks ago; another solid effort at York a fortnight ago but he has to prove his effectiveness on AW.

10/1

6th

12

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Brighton Boy

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won at Thirsk (7f, good) last month on third stable start and close second at Chester (7f, good) subsequently; won here in September 2024 on sole previous course visit and this in-form 4yo could again be thereabouts.

10/1

2nd

12

(8)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Brighton Boy

8st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner (7.6f, soft) for Andrew Balding last summer; not beaten far in the 7.6f handicap won by Supido 24 days ago (poor draw) and confirmed that promise with a Class 3 win at Thirsk a fortnight ago (7f, good); a 3lb rise shouldn't prove beyond him and Warren Fentiman's claim is a bonus.

11/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 0858-1 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Finished close up in fifth in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last year (1m, good to firm); his 3yo campaign rather fizzled out but he dropped in the weights as a result and took full advantage with his 7.6f success here 24 days ago; well drawn again and a 4lb rise isn't beyond him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(13)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Supido

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ian Williams

Performed well (first and third) at Chester in last two turf attempts and may be capable of further progress returned to this sphere; helps to give his connections, who also run Aalto, a robust hand.

9/1

7th

3

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Supido

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Good effort to win a 7.6f handicap at Chester on his reappearance and he ran to a similar level when third back there (7f) four weeks ago; today's stiffer test at the trip will suit and he has shown promise on AW.

4/1

3rd

5

(3)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Supido

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Finished close up in fifth in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last year (1m, good to firm); his 3yo campaign rather fizzled out but he dropped in the weights as a result and took full advantage with his 7.6f success here 24 days ago; well drawn again and a 4lb rise isn't beyond him.

5/2

16/1

Form: 82550- C

Last run: 224 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Course winner; only eighth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; 4lb lower today but he is drawn wide and this may not be his day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Bobby Bennu

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Winless last season but ran some promising races and did likewise when fourth on his reappearance at Chester (7f, good; Supido third), having been dropped in from a wide draw; continues to drop down the weights; chance.

6/1

4th

6

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Bobby Bennu

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Course winner; only eighth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; 4lb lower today but he is drawn wide and this may not be his day.

16/1

Form: 4-1117 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; 4-4 on AW but unplaced in both turf runs; he will need a career best to come out on top but he is well drawn to attack and still has low mileage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Elements Of Fire

9st 4lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Archie Watson

Front-runner; 4-4 on AW but unplaced in both turf runs; he will need a career best to come out on top but he is well drawn to attack and still has low mileage.

11/2

7th

1

(4)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Ascot

Elements Of Fire

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Has done really well front-running over 7f on the AW for new yard, winning all three starts; has more to prove up another 5lb and dropped to 6f on the return to turf but he's perfectly capable of giving it a good shot on grass, having run well under a penalty in a good novice at Doncaster last spring.

6/1

1st

2

(6)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 3

15:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Elements Of Fire

9st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Bought for 32,000gns from the Gosdens; 2-2 since gelded, just doing enough to fend off Epictetus at Chelmsford (7f, Class 4) over a month ago; now 2lb higher as he bids to remain unbeaten for current connections (2-2) and on AW (3-3); solid credentials.

15/8

6th
7 (11)
Korker

28/1

Form: 20-080

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Slow-starter; on a dangerous mark but he is without a win since October 2023 and one 7f run didn't see him improve for the trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(12)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Slow starter; on a long losing run; creditable effort at Chester four weeks ago but this stiff 7f isn't sure to suit.

20/1

6th

7

(11)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: K R Burke

Slow-starter; on a dangerous mark but he is without a win since October 2023 and one 7f run didn't see him improve for the trip.

28/1

10th

9

(13)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Useful on his day but is on a long losing run and has a doubt over current form; by no means sure to take advantage of a reduced mark.

25/1

Form: -08166 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Narrow winner of a competitive 1m handicap at Lingfield on Good Friday; two midfield finishes this month and he will need a career best to come out on top in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Angel Hunter

9st 3lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won a 1m handicap at Lingfield on Good Friday off this mark; another solid effort when a close sixth at Newmarket (1m, good) three weeks ago; more needed to come out on top here.

20/1

6th

3

(16)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Newmarket (July)

Angel Hunter

10st 2lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Richard Hannon

Two-time turf winner who scored at Lingfield (1m, AW) in April and is just 1lb higher here; however, he's finished unplaced on turf on his last three starts and needs to raise his game.

16/1

7th

8

(9)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Angel Hunter

9st 1lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Narrow winner of a competitive 1m handicap at Lingfield on Good Friday; two midfield finishes this month and he will need a career best to come out on top in this field.

12/1

OUR TIP

11/2

Form: 058701 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Enhanced his excellent course record when narrowly landing a 5f handicap at the May meeting; stays 7f but rarely seen at the trip now; may prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Hugo Palmer

Has won in Bahrain but all eight British wins have come at Chester (5f/6f); his last success was in May but he's gone backwards since and was beaten 14l in the Wokingham last time; now returns to Chester but he's drawn out wide and has something to prove back up in trip.

14/1

24th

14

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Roman Dragon

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Hugo Palmer

Has won in Bahrain but all eight British wins have come at Chester and he's been soundly beaten in the last two runnings of this race (100-1 each time); has been wearing cheekpieces but visor is now refitted.

100/1

11th

1

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 2

17:55 Epsom

Roman Dragon

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Has gained all eight domestic wins at Chester, the most recent on penultimate start; Epsom is an unknown and he's on a difficult mark, conceding weight all round to boot.

22/1

Form: 1002-4 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Two course wins (7.6f) for Hugo Palmer last summer; respectable fourth on this month's stable debut; should give his running but perhaps vulnerable for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

14:45 Chester

Miami Matrix

10st 1lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Overall record of 3-11 but he's not been easy to predict; finished down the field here when last seen in May but he's now only 1lb higher than when completing a double in this race last year; cheekpieces are reapplied after a short break and he needs a close look on this drop back in grade.

9/2

9th

11

(6)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Miami Matrix

8st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Patrick Morris

Two course wins (7.6f) for Hugo Palmer last summer; respectable fourth on this month's stable debut; should give his running but perhaps vulnerable for win purposes.

9/1

6/1

Form: 964-44 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 3340-0

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Useful 2yo for Joseph O'Brien; poorly drawn and finished well beaten in a C&D handicap on stable debut this month (100-1); he has fared better with the draw today but others still look more appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:53 Ripon

Midnight Strike

10st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jennie Candlish

Capitalised on a golden opportunity for easy win at 8-13 in a seller at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; that may have given his confidence a boost and he's unexposed in the retained tongue-tie/cheekpieces, but he's opposable on what he's achieved in handicaps this season.

6/1

1st

3

(2)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

19:35 Beverley

Midnight Strike

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jennie Candlish

Useful performer for Joseph O'Brien but struggling for new yard in 2026, albeit last week's York eighth was better; accessories now go on; favoured by the weights.

6/4

8th

3

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:50 York

Midnight Strike

11st 4lb

J: Mr Freddie Robson

T: Jennie Candlish

0-14 since a successful debut for Joseph O'Brien; well down the field in all three runs for this yard, all at 7f; good bit to prove and he's unraced beyond a mile.

50/1

50/1

Form: 2156-0

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 01-706 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Nizam, The Angel King

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £247.00
Straight Forecast £230.44
Tricast £767.64
Trifecta £1161.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Supido

Telegraph:

Palmar Bay

LAMBOURN:

Elements Of Fire

The Star:

Roman Dragon

The Guardian:

Elements Of Fire

RP RATINGS:

Supido

TOPSPEED:

Supido

POSTDATA:

Supido

The Times:

Supido

Daily Mail:

Supido

D Express:

Supido

Daily Mirror:

Supido

The Sun:

Palmar Bay

Daily Record:

Palmar Bay