September 17 / 13.20 Ayr

13.20

Good

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
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Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1st
8 (13)
Gweedore

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.00
  • Place: £3.90

Form: 221072 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly on good/softer; his C&D defeat of Orbaan in July reads well and he bounced back from a couple of lesser efforts when second at Musselburgh (7f) a month ago; draw could have been kinder.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 3

16:25 Musselburgh

Gweedore

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Katie Scott

Stable stalwart; just 1lb higher than for his front-running C&D win last November (soft) but his two runs this year have been unconvincing; will no doubt pop up at some point but perhaps in a race with less pace pressure.

16/1

14th

7

(9)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Gweedore

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Katie Scott

He has been a fine advertisement for Katie Scott, winning 13 races over 7f and 1m; 0-6 at this trip but he was beaten less than one length in the 2023 Ayr Gold Cup; recent Musselburgh return should have blown away the cobwebs but others are still more appealing for win purposes.

33/1

7th

5

(10)

4th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 2

13:55 Musselburgh

Gweedore

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

Often leads; superb 9yo with six course wins, the latest over C&D (soft) in November; not weighted out of it off the same mark as his second to Persuasion here last April but he's had a much longer break this time and is drawn widest.

13/2

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 470021 C

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Ended a losing run over 1m2f here last month but it was a small-field race and a 5lb rise proved enough to stop him back here (1m2f again) on Thursday; still as effective at 1m but others look better treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

(8)

21st Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Multiple winner for Keith Dalgleish and was rated higher in his prime; has form figures of 2234 for new stable and again has frame possibilities; scored over C&D in 2022.

7/1

4th

5

(3)

7th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Won at Carlisle (1m, good to firm) in May for the now-retired Keith Dalgleish and has form figures of 223 for his current yard; this return to Tapeta is no problem and he has each-way claims again.

4/1

3rd

7

(11)

20th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:45 Sandown

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Won at Carlisle (1m, good to firm) in May for the now-retired Keith Dalgleish and he's been a good second on his first two starts for this yard (1m, good to soft/soft); there's every chance he'll be in the mix.

15/2

12/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -03239 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won this off 3lb lower 12 months ago; hasn't added to his tally this season but his three placed efforts in competitive handicaps (all around 1m) are as good as anything he's ever produced; travelled like one who is still in good form when stepped up to 1m2f for the first time here on Thursday; player if he's over those exertions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:53 Windsor

Revich

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Adrian Wintle

All seven wins have been on good or slower ground on turf; last success was in 2023 but he's well treated on old form and made some late gains when sixth of 15 at Nottingham (8.3f, good) last month; wasn't beaten far in that race and he could go well again on this step back up in trip.

15/2

6th

5

(13)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

16:07 Nottingham

Revich

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Adrian Wintle

All seven wins have been on good or slower ground on turf; last success was in 2023 but he didn't get much luck when fourth at Wolverhampton (7f) last month and he's in the mix on this step back up in trip.

8/1

7/1

Form: -19322 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Boasts an excellent 7-10 course record and arrives on the back of three successive creditable placed efforts, the latest at Ascot (1m, good to firm) six weeks ago; can be expected to give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(8)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ayr

Redarna

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Dianne Sayer

18 visits to Ayr have yielded nine wins, the latest last September; the return to Ayr could be the catalyst for a big run but he's struggled at Musselburgh and Thirsk this year and a major turnaround is needed from this 12yo.

25/1

12th

15

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Redarna

8st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Dianne Sayer

Sprung a 66-1 surprise in this on good to firm in 2022 (also fourth in 2024); added career win number 17, as an 11yo, at Ayr (1m, good to soft) last September but arrives with something to prove after finishing tailed off behind a couple of these on his Musselburgh reappearance.

66/1

12th

10

(5)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 3

17:15 Musselburgh

Redarna

8st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Dianne Sayer

Showed he still had it what it takes when gaining his ninth course success at Ayr (1m, good to soft) last September and ran well despite a 10lb rise back there 12 days later; has tended to need his reappearance in recent years.

25/1

14/1

Form: 180376 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Ready winner in the mud at Ripon (1m) on his reappearance in April but he's come close to matching that only once in his five outings since; others are more obvious.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

17th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Blenheim Boy

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Easy winner of a soft-ground Ripon handicap on 2022 reappearance but hasn't built on it since and he was found to have bled from the nose when tailed off on his seasonal return at the same venue seven weeks ago.

10/1

13th

5

(13)

29th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Ripon

Blenheim Boy

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Easy winner of a soft-ground C&D handicap on last season's reappearance; couldn't build on it subsequently but he starts this campaign off a more manageable mark; gelded since last seen; there are reasons to be positive but stall 13 isn't one of them.

8/1

8th

9

(14)

14th Oct 2022

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:00 Haydock

Blenheim Boy

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out

8/1

16/1

Form: 113065

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Back-to-back 7f winner at Redcar and York (on good to soft and good) in the spring; last two runs were respectable and he's fine at 1m but remains 4lb above the mark he scored from at York.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(10)

17th Sep 2022

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:20 Ayr

Il Bandito

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Horton

mounted in chute, taken down early, took keen hold, went second over 6f out, joined leader over 2f out, going easily over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, lost position inside final furlong, no extra inside final 110yds

16/1

5th

5

(1)

26th Aug 2022

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:30 Thirsk

Il Bandito

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Horton

prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

14/1

6th

2

(6)

30th Jul 2022

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Thirsk

Il Bandito

10st 1lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Horton

took keen hold, prominent, switched right and raced near side home straight, went second over 3f out, ridden and lost second over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7 in group

5/1

7th
5 (7)

7/2

Form: -20173 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Got the job done in a tactical small-field handicap at Newmarket (1m) on his first start for George Boughey; bounced back quickly from a poor run at Goodwood when third at Newbury (1m, good) 29 days ago; raced quite freely on that occasion and now wears a first-time hood; the Newbury form is solid (winner Atrium landed another competitive race at Doncaster last weekend) and he's a big player off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 930239

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Dual 7f winner on fast ground and largely consistent in defeat this season; well beaten on sole attempt at 1m but it was in the 2,000 Guineas.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Thirsk

Persuasion

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

9yo who capitalised on some leniency from the handicapper to win at Musselburgh (7f, good) three weeks ago; goes well there but he's a C&D winner too and he should be in the thick of things again from just 2lb higher.

6/1

1st

3

(1)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Persuasion

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

9yo who hasn't been at the top of his game on either start this season but wasn't beaten far when sixth of ten over C&D three weeks ago and he's down to a tempting mark; won over C&D last April; possible contender.

7/1

Form: 841257

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won narrowly at Musselburgh (7f, good) in June and placed at the Galway festival in July for the fourth year in succession; his last two efforts have been no more than respectable, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 73y

13:05 Galway

On A Session

10st 1lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Kieran P Cotter

Career win number seven when beating Lady Arwen here over 7f last month (soft) off 74 for today's rider; just okay runs twice since off revised mark; more needed.

9/1

1

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 73y

13:05 Galway

On A Session

10st 1lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Kieran P Cotter

Career win number seven when beating Lady Arwen here over 7f last month (soft) off 74 for today's rider; just okay runs twice since off revised mark; more needed.

9/1

7th

11

(11)

11th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:30 Naas

On A Session

9st 1lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Kieran P Cotter

Career win number seven when beating 14 rivals at Galway (7f, soft) and not a bad last run at Listowel when upside Midnight Strike, given that he came from well off the speed.

14/1

14/1

Form: 5-1750

Last run: 106 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
In good form over this trip on turf in the spring; absent since a lesser run at the Epsom Derby meeting in June but he can go well fresh; no surprise were he to play a prominent role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

18:15 Hexham

Seasett

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

A fair 2m3f hurdles scorer for John Joseph Hanlon but he ended his time there below par; starts out for his new yard on a handy-looking mark though so he's not without interest on the back of wind surgery; visor replaces blinkers.

9/2

6th

1

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:55 Worcester

Seasett

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Dual hurdles winner at around 2m3f (stays 2m4f); well beaten in all three starts for this trainer; handy mark as a result and support for him would be interesting.

13/2

5th

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 180y

18:30 Sligo

Seasett

11st 8lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

prominent, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last

7/1

16/1

Form: 440055

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Had some strong 2yo form but his only win came at 2-13 in a small-field maiden at Pontefract (6f, good to firm) in September; struggling this year and there was not enough in his latest fifth of seven at Ripon (1m) to be positive about his prospects here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

19

(12)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Eldrickjones

8st 2lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Roger Fell

Well handicapped on last year's best form (including on turf) and ran okay when third of six at Southwell (1m, AW) last month; however, he's been hard to win with on grass and looks vulnerable back up in grade.

33/1

3rd

1

(1)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Eldrickjones

9st 10lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Scored at Newcastle (7f) in December and in good nick until only sixth back there (7f) 35 days ago; the sort to bounce back though.

5/1

6th

5

(1)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Eldrickjones

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Roger Fell

Bagged a fourth C&D victory in December and he's continued in good nick, fourth of 12 in 1m Southwell handicap 13 days ago; he ought to be thereabouts once more.

7/1

11/2

Form: -20602

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Positive start for this yard when second over 1m at Musselburgh in the spring and recaptured that form when going down by only a head at Doncaster (7f, good to soft) nine days ago; needs to show he can string good efforts together now but has claims if he can.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(14)

19th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Newmarket

Dirtyoldtown

9st 10lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Dylan Cunha

Well held in the Spring Mile two months ago; inconsistent but scored comfortably over C&D (heavy; off 4lb lower) last November and has possibilities granted a reproduction of that form.

14/1

1

(14)

19th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Newmarket

Dirtyoldtown

9st 10lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Dylan Cunha

Well held in the Spring Mile two months ago; inconsistent but scored comfortably over C&D (heavy; off 4lb lower) last November and has possibilities granted a reproduction of that form.

14/1

Form: 142130 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Tough handicapper who has already raced 22 times this year, winning five; however, his run of good form came to a halt when always towards the rear on Kempton's AW a fortnight ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(10)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Dutch Decoy

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

8yo who has won five times on the July Course here, including two this year; 0-9 on this track but latest fifth of 23 in the Cambridgeshire was highly creditable; another who can't be discounted.

11/1

4th

8

(10)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Dutch Decoy

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

8yo who has won five times on the July Course here, including two this year; 0-9 on this track but latest fifth of 23 in the Cambridgeshire was highly creditable; another who can't be discounted.

11/1

5th

23

(11)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Dutch Decoy

8st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

8yo who has run well in this race previously and won two in a row on the other Newmarket course in July; however, he's finished no better than fifth across his last five outings and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

33/1

33/1

Form: 7695-6

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Had some quite useful form as a juvenile but not seen again until finishing last of six at Haydock (6f) 15 days ago; has plenty to prove now stepping up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(1)

18th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Misty Ayr

9st 8lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Keith Dalgleish

Arrives in good nick, not enjoying the clearest of passages when third of seven in 7f handicap here 12 days ago; she's a player back up to 1m off a 1lb lower mark.

7/1

3rd

1

(1)

6th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Misty Ayr

10st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Keith Dalgleish

Her only win came at odds of 1-8 in a three-runner novice in July 2021 (5f, good); has dropped some way in the weights but she's finished down the field in all of her handicaps including when fourth of six over C&D (cheekpieces added) last month; needs to raise her game.

5/1

4th

2

(4)

7th Feb 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Misty Ayr

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Keith Dalgleish

Her only win came at odds of 1-8 in a three-runner novice in July 2021 (5f, good); handicapper in control last year; returns from three months off at a lower level and with cheekpieces added; worth a market check.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £128.80
Straight Forecast £87.53
Tricast £310.58
Trifecta £801.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Koy Koy

TOPSPEED:

Redarna

The Times:

Revich

Daily Mirror:

Dirtyoldtown

NEWMARKET:

Seasett

Daily Express:

Il Bandito

RP Ratings:

Koy Koy

Telegraph:

Koy Koy

The Star:

Koy Koy

Daily Record:

Koy Koy

Daily Mail:

Revich

POSTDATA:

Redarna

The Guardian:

Redarna

The Sun:

Redarna