September 13 / 15.50 Chester

15.50

Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £9172.8
  • 1m 7f 196y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 141230

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
0-10 with Kevin Philippart De Foy to start career; 4-19 for Kevin Frost, including three wins on soft this spring; rejoined his former trainer (same owner) and absent 11 weeks before always behind on AW three weeks ago, but he's now back with Frost and more interesting now also back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:20 Bath

Corsican Caper

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Five-time Flat winner; ended losing run when winning a small-field novice handicap hurdle three weeks ago; has the ability to play a big part but breaking on terms is an issue for him.

3/1

1st

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:52 Uttoxeter

Corsican Caper

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Kevin Frost

Lots of Flat racing and lowly rated these days; hadn't shown much over hurdles but kept finding to finish a 5.5l third over 2m4f here 22 days ago on his handicap debut, and this longer trip looks the obvious move.

100/30

3rd

11

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Corsican Caper

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

Lowly rated these days on the Flat and has shown little in three runs over hurdles; makes handicap hurdle debut up in trip and needs to show significant improvement.

14/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 66-134 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Upped to 1m4f when narrowly making a successful handicap debut at Wolverhampton (AW) in April; only third of four at Hamilton (1m4f, soft; his only turf start) in May and fourth of six at Southwell (1m6f) when next seen 18 days ago, not far away however and he does shape like a stayer; could have more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(11)

28th May 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:52 Kempton (AW)

Judgementofsolomon

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Chris Gordon

Just 1lb higher than when winning at Pontefract (2m1f, good to firm) last September when with Sir Mark Prescott; hasn't been with this yard for long, but he has looked better on Tapeta than on Polytrack thus far.

20/1

8th

6

(11)

28th May 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:52 Kempton (AW)

Judgementofsolomon

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Chris Gordon

Just 1lb higher than when winning at Pontefract (2m1f, good to firm) last September when with Sir Mark Prescott; hasn't been with this yard for long, but he has looked better on Tapeta than on Polytrack thus far.

20/1

5th

5

(7)

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Goodwood

Judgementofsolomon

9st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Chris Gordon

2-11 for Sir Mark Prescott, including 2m1f win at Pontefract (good to firm; 3lb higher today) last September in first-time cheekpieces; sold for 90,000gns in October and his only run over hurdles was a modest one in March; cheekpieces absent that day and in this race; others preferred.

10/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 772581

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Not proven on softer than good; wore cheekpieces last two outings; big change in tactics when always prominent at Musselburgh (2m2f) 16 days ago and it resulted in him getting off the mark at the seventh attempt, by a head under 5lb claimer; up just 2lb and might have more to give now that more use is being made of his stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:20 York

Trojan Sun

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Probably best known for Musselburgh exploits but last two wins were at Nottingham last October and Carlisle last month; below form on sole start here (last October) but probably best forgiven being well beaten 17 days ago as that was just 1m3f; chief concern is that he needs another career best.

20/1

6th

6

(2)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 4

17:05 Carlisle

Trojan Sun

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Made it win number six when scoring here (1m6f, good; has won at up to 2m2f) last Monday; 5lb penalty makes life tough and he's never won at shorter than 1m6f; evidently in good heart, though.

11/1

1st

10

(3)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Trojan Sun

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won four times last season (1m6f-2m2f) and looked as good as ever when clear third in quite valuable Musselburgh handicap (2m, good) in April but didn't fire at Hamilton last month and has now disappointed on four of his last five appearances.

9/1

12/1

Form: 8-6423 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Latest win was at this track but in June 2022; with new yard last four starts and placed over 2m in the last two, including under Rhys Elliott; below form on softer than good, however, and he's 4lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(6)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

14:14 Redcar

Bamboo Bay

8st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Tracy Waggott

C&D winner but he arrives below par, only sixth of eight in 14f Carlisle handicap 33 days ago; he's not easy to make a case for.

20/1

8

(1)

19th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 32y

Class 6

16:00 Carlisle

Bamboo Bay

8st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Tracy Waggott

Three wins on the Flat, the latest at Redcar last September (1m6f, good to firm); hasn't been at his best this year, although fair run when 10l fourth of 12 at Beverley last time (good to firm).

10/1

8

(1)

19th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 32y

Class 6

16:00 Carlisle

Bamboo Bay

8st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Tracy Waggott

Three wins on the Flat, the latest at Redcar last September (1m6f, good to firm); hasn't been at his best this year, although fair run when 10l fourth of 12 at Beverley last time (good to firm).

10/1

Form: 6-5759

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Effective at this track, though without a win here (eight attempts); veteran who has won only once (April 2023) in the last four seasons and his last four wins have been on soft or heavy going; significant ability remains compared to this career-low mark but last Friday saw only his second run beyond 1m4f on the Flat and he never showed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

14:35 Redcar

Lunar Jet

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Steph Hollinshead

Dual C&D winner but last of those was in April 2023; just his second run this year when finishing with a flourish to take fifth of 11 over C&D (good to soft) 23 days ago; not the force of old but has possibilities if able to build on that run.

6/1

2

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

14:35 Redcar

Lunar Jet

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Steph Hollinshead

Dual C&D winner but last of those was in April 2023; just his second run this year when finishing with a flourish to take fifth of 11 over C&D (good to soft) 23 days ago; not the force of old but has possibilities if able to build on that run.

6/1

10

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

14:11 Redcar

Lunar Jet

8st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Steph Hollinshead

Veteran who has raced only once this year, when soundly beaten in 1m6f AW handicap in July; suited by this C&D and rain will aid his cause but it's very hard to gauge how much ability he retains.

25/1

6th
11 (3)
Hiccups

14/1

Form: -05032

Last run: 65 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
4yo who has had eight races, best last time when close second of eight in handicap at Ffos Las (1m6f, good to soft) in second-time cheekpieces; makes his first attempt at 2m but that latest run gave plenty of encouragement; 3lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

17:17 Southwell (AW)

Hiccups

10st 12lb

J: Mr Cameron Hillhouse

T: Tony Forbes

Beat a Catterick specialist by a neck (1m6f, good) in September before ending last season with solid efforts in his final two runs for John Berry; has claims if he can pick where he left off but he doesn't have a great record when fresh and still has something to prove on AW.

8/1

8

(8)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 11y

Class 6

14:52 Bath

Hiccups

9st 4lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Beat a Catterick specialist by a neck (1m6f, good) before finishing second in another small field at Redcar; thereabouts.

7/1

2nd

7

(3)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

17:35 Redcar

Hiccups

9st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: John Berry

Off the mark at 14th attempt when beating the in-form course specialist Bollin Neil by a neck at Catterick last week (1m6f, good; pound out of the handicap, tongue-tie on for first time); could go well again.

7/2

12/1

Form: 670

Last run: 119 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Big odds, slowly away and always behind over about 1m2f on good ground at Newmarket, Chester and Newbury this spring; gelded in June; makes his handicap debut over 6f further, in first-time headgear and on different ground, so there would be explanations were he to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(3)

26th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Prince Iago

9st 1lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Hugo Palmer

Gelded after three quiet runs in 1m2f maidens and heavy ground was perhaps against him on handicap debut over 2m at Chester (11-1); couldn't rule out.

8/1

7th

13

(6)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Prince Iago

8st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Hugo Palmer

Big odds, slowly away and always behind over about 1m2f on good ground at Newmarket, Chester and Newbury this spring; gelded in June; makes his handicap debut over 6f further, in first-time headgear and on different ground, so there would be explanations were he to improve.

12/1

11th

6

(11)

17th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newbury

Prince Iago

9st 7lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Hugo Palmer

slowly away

50/1

8th
6 (11)
Zivaniya

10/1

Form: 131716 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Won three of his seven races this term, all 2m and the latest win when making all at Newcastle last month; not disgraced there ten days ago; the big question is over the lack of solid recommendations on turf, albeit after only four attempts, the latest 11 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(2)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zivaniya

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Hugo Palmer

Three AW wins, the most recent off 7lb higher over C&D in August 2024; inconsistent since but is attractively treated and Jack Callan takes off a bonus 5lb; good chance if back to form.

10/1

6th

1

(5)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:55 Newcastle (AW)

Zivaniya

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Prominent racer who won three times on AW last year, including over this C&D in August off a mark 5lb higher than today; beaten 20l here in February and was again well beaten at Kempton when last seen 92 days ago.

10/1

6

(6)

11th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:40 Kempton (AW)

Zivaniya

9st 3lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Hugo Palmer

Prominent racer who won three times on AW last year and first two were over C&D; flopped with a heavy defeat at Newcastle in February but he finished a close third here (2m) on his penultimate run and is a big player if he can recapture that form; in the mix back from a break.

7/2

9th
8 (13)
Tazaman

16/1

Form: 327/55

Last run: 79 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Twice fifth on the Kempton AW (2m) since returning from a 636-day absence, with the first of those efforts better than the second; best 2022 efforts (on good and good to soft) make him look well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(6)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

14:47 Redcar

Tazaman

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

A dual winner (1m4f/2m1f, good to firm) in 2025; back to form with a run behind him when second of seven over 1m6f at Nottingham (good) three weeks ago; should go well.

7/4

2nd

5

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Tazaman

9st 0lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

A dual winner (1m4f/2m1f) in 2025; off seven months before beating one in 1m4f handicap at Doncaster 29 days ago but should strip sharper here.

12/1

Form: 64341- D

Last run: 352 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably over 2m on soft ground on penultimate start last term, but it was over 2m on Kempton AW (5-4 favourite) next time that he took the step forward to make his breakthrough; up 4lb today but appeared to have potential at 2m+ when last seen; it's the absence and return to turf which give him most to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Berkshire Sundance

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Good strike-rate of 7-17 and he should have brighter prospects than some of staying this extreme trip given he wasn't stopping at the end of the Chester Cup over an extended 2m2f last time; has raised his game in cheekpieces (fitted in only his last two races) and he could outrun his odds if coping okay with fast ground.

16/1

6th

6

(15)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Berkshire Sundance

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Missed most of last season but won on good/AW in four of his six starts since, the latest in clearcut fashion with first-time cheekpieces at Newcastle on AW Championships day; raised another 7lb, drawn wide and lacks any race experience at this track, but he's going from strength to strength.

10/1

1st

9

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Berkshire Sundance

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

In and out on his five runs since returning from an absence in October but he's won three of them, most recently at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) in January; has also won on Tapeta; this steadily progressive 6yo has gone up just 2lb for last time and could again be involved; cheekpieces go on.

9/1

Non-runners

CMon Kenny, Zikany, Dereham

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.70
Straight Forecast £24.92
Tricast £128.52
Trifecta £204.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Judgementofsolomon

The Guardian:

Corsican Caper

D Express:

Trojan Sun

Daily Mail:

Prince Iago

Daily Record:

Hiccups

Daily Mirror:

Berkshire Sundance

RP RATINGS:

Judgementofsolomon

POSTDATA:

Judgementofsolomon

NEWMARKET:

Judgementofsolomon

The Times:

Judgementofsolomon

Telegraph:

Judgementofsolomon

The Star:

Judgementofsolomon

The Sun:

Corsican Caper