September 27 / 16.39 Ayr

16.39

Good

Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap

  • Prize money: £5616
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.50

Form: -84734 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Back from break with two good runs this month, latterly when fourth of 14 in Class 2 event over C&D (good); 1lb lower today and a likely contender again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

First Impression

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: John & Sean Quinn

Useful dual-purpose performer but he's on a tough mark over hurdles, now 8lb higher than for his last win (last February) after going up 3lb for a narrow defeat at Doncaster; should give his running but others are preferred for win purposes.

8/1

2nd

9

16th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

14:40 Doncaster

First Impression

10st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: John Quinn

raced in second

16/1

0

2

(5)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

15:55 Pontefract

First Impression

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

In top form at Chester since returning from a three-month break, posting a win (1m2f, soft) then a good second (1m2f, good to soft); also effective elsewhere and he can give another good account.

11/2

10/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 431369 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Dual course winner this summer (1m, good to firm/1m2f, good) before two creditable runs in defeat on soft ground at Hamilton last month (1m1f/1m4f); below form and behind First Impression over C&D recently but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:33 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Proving expensive to follow but continues to run well now and again and can't be left out of calculations even though down the field here yesterday.

20/1

9th

9

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:33 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Proving expensive to follow but continues to run well now and again and can't be left out of calculations even though down the field here yesterday.

20/1

10th

8

(1)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:39 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Has never attempted this far on the AW before, but he has run well over similar trips on turf; losing run of 31 is a concern, though.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £11.50

Form: -16585 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Course regular who began this season with a soft-ground C&D success in May; suffered significant dip in form afterwards but returned from break with pretty good effort here (1m, good) 11 days ago; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(4)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Royal Regent

9st 3lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon edged right towards near side, headed over 1f out, kept on

10/1

3rd

12

(6)

27th Sep 2022

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:39 Ayr

Royal Regent

8st 10lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, pushed along 2f out, ridden and went second over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

16/1

5th

6

(6)

16th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Ayr

Royal Regent

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

midfield, headway 3f out, pushed along and made challenge 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

33/1

14/1

Form: -31330 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Kept on strongly to score by 6l at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) in June and is only 3lb higher here but needs to bounce back from a disappointing run this month and would appeal much more on ground slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(4)

17th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

13:50 Doncaster

Arch Moon

10st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

All wins on good/good to soft, the most recent off 2lb lower at Wetherby in May; form dipped at Ayr last time and he is now conceding weight to several 3yos who are much less exposed; opposed.

8/1

5th

2

(5)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:37 Ayr

Arch Moon

10st 1lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Michael Dods

in touch with leaders on outer

13/2

4th

3

(8)

17th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Ayr

Arch Moon

10st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

took keen hold, prominent, switched to near side over 2f out

9/2

Form: 326164 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Evidently well suited by step up to 1m2f when clearcut winner at Ripon (good to soft) last month; comes here after very respectable fourth over that C&D two weeks ago and is not yet fully exposed over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(3)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:50 Redcar

Cosmos Raj

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Closely-matched with Classic Encounter on their form at York last June (1m1f, good to firm); bit disappointing since Ripon win in July (1m, good to soft), although excuses for poor reappearance run (blindfold removed late).

20/1

9th

7

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:23 Pontefract

Cosmos Raj

9st 1lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Three wins last May/July at about 1m on various ground and he's back down to his last winning mark; ended 2025 quietly and there's a suspicion he'll improve for this comeback run; withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls at Ripon two weeks ago (25-1 at the time).

25/1

8

(7)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Cosmos Raj

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: David O’Meara

Three wins last May/July at about 1m on various ground and he's back down to his last winning mark; may have been ready for a break towards end of last season but there's a suspicion he'll improve for this comeback run.

9/1

Form: 3445-

Last run: 364 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ended four-race 2yo campaign with disappointing run here a year ago and hasn't raced again since; not an easy horse to weigh up on belated seasonal debut but there was significant promise in his first three runs and market support will make him of interest; gelded last autumn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

27

(20)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:00 Curragh

Capital Theory

10st 5lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Had this rider aboard when scoring at Naas nine days ago, with Considering back in third; worth considering; first reserve.

2

(16)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 125y

16:55 Naas

Capital Theory

9st 12lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Step in the right direction at Bellewstown recently (1m4f, soft); drop in trip could suit.

12/1

3rd

2

(5)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 110y

16:33 Bellewstown

Capital Theory

10st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Competitive but below best form in two claimers this summer for current yard and then tailed off in a 2m2f handicap at Down Royal; others appeal more.

12/1

16/1

Form: 534459 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Multiple course winner; has modest strike-rate in recent years and needs to better his recent efforts but went close off 4lb higher over C&D in first-time cheekpieces in July and has the headgear refitted today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

15:50 Musselburgh

Glasses Up

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won at this track but who is better known for his exploits at Ayr; solid third at that track 16 days ago (1m1f, good to firm); shouldn't be far away if backing it up.

4/1

3rd

7

(3)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won 11 times here, including three last year (1m2f/1m5f); on a good mark and should come on for his run at Musselburgh last week; contender.

13/2

Form: 116103 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Has progressed from basement mark and won five times (1m-1m1f) for new stable this season; coped fine with step up to 1m2f when placed at Redcar (good to soft) a fortnight ago and may yet have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(12)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Shine On Brendan

9st 13lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

8yo who is 0-9 this year but he's run some good races, most recently third at Hamilton (1m, soft) off 2lb higher, and he won this 12 months ago (good); there's every chance he'll be thereabouts.

7/1

3rd

6

(5)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:00 Hamilton

Shine On Brendan

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Nine-time winner (five times here) who won't mind what the weather does; yet to hit the target this season, though, and both runs this month have been disappointing; others have less to prove.

14/1

6th

5

(5)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:13 Hamilton

Shine On Brendan

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Runner-up twice this summer but form dipped last time; the 8yo is a five-time course winner and could go well returned to Hamilton.

15/2

9th
9 (1)
Gorak

7/2

Form: 1-0533 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won as a 2yo here and returns after keeping on for creditable third in competitive Racing League handicap at Windsor (1m2f, good) this month; still has low mileage and is unexposed over today's trip; major player.
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

4/1

Form: 324

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 3yo who has made the frame on all three starts, perhaps most notably when close second at Southwell (1m3f, AW) on second occasion; ideally needs to settle better than he did at Ripon last month but ought to have some improvement to come in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 194y

16:10 Sligo

Aussie Warrior

11st 11lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Thomas R Hughes

Won a beginners' at Tramore on chase debut on his penultimate start but it was a low-key run when sent off favourite for a handicap hurdle at Wexford last week; workable mark if he can bounce back (went close off mark of 100 last summer) and return to this sort of trip will probably help.

6/1

7th

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 55y

14:40 Wexford

Aussie Warrior

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas R Hughes

Hurdles win came in 2m Roscommon 4yo maiden on good, twice runner-up in handicaps at same trip last summer; winning chasing debut at Tramore in May and rated an 8lb superior chaser on that run so has to be respected back hurdling.

11/2

2

30th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:05 Tramore

Aussie Warrior

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Thomas R Hughes

Hurdles win came in 2m Roscommon 4yo maiden on good, twice runner-up in handicaps at same trip last summer; didn't count in competitive Fairyhouse handicap last month after long absence and now switches to fences; won't want too much rain.

25/1

14/1

Form: 521530 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Dual turf winner this summer, latterly at Haydock (1m2f, good); down the field after racing too freely on Tapeta recently and, even if back on song, probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(6)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

14:10 Carlisle

Jewel Maker

9st 7lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

11yo who has plenty to prove on the evidence of this year's three runs; however, he's 6lb lower than when winning at Redcar last October and perhaps the return to Carlisle will trigger a revival, with his course form figures reading 4106231.

20/1

7th

11

(12)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Jewel Maker

8st 10lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 12 wins but he's lost his way and has struggled after slow starts in both runs this spring; has something to prove and he needs to turn things around back up in trip.

20/1

11th

10

(7)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:53 Thirsk

Jewel Maker

9st 3lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 12 wins to his name but didn't suggest his next one is near when trailing throughout on his AW reappearance three weeks ago.

25/1

25/1

Form: 436245

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who was safely held after racing too freely on recent handicap debut at Redcar (1m2f, good to soft); now sports cheekpieces; others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(6)

4th May 2023

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:55 Redcar

Positive Force

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Rebecca Menzies

Yet to get his head in front and he arrives below par, only 12th in 1m Southwell handicap 16 days ago; cheekpieces and tongue strap go back on with lots to prove.

5/1

12th

5

(5)

18th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Positive Force

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Rebecca Menzies

midfield

10/1

6th

1

(11)

4th Apr 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Thirsk

Positive Force

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Maiden who didn't go on for Kevin Ryan and needs more than he's shown for this yard, over hurdles and on the AW; should be well treated if the return to turf is what's wanted.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.70
Straight Forecast £25.58
Tricast £905.08
Trifecta £1184.50

Selections

The Times:

Gorak

SPOTLIGHT:

Aussie Warrior

TOPSPEED:

Arch Moon

Daily Mirror:

Tilsitt

The Sun:

First Impression

RP Ratings:

Glasses Up

The Guardian:

Royal Regent

NEWMARKET:

Aussie Warrior

Telegraph:

Aussie Warrior

Daily Mail:

Gorak

Daily Express:

Gorak

The Star:

Gorak

Daily Record:

Gorak

POSTDATA:

Arch Moon